Well some pictures have been uploaded from the 3 week trip around parts of Asia. Click on the Photography link to the right and you can see them.
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Singapore – Raffles Hotel & more
For me, a trip to Singapore can’t be considered complete without a visit to Raffles. Located on a block fronting Beach Road this hotel is “English colonialism” at it’s best or worst depending on your point of view. It is rumored that when the Japanese invaded Singapore during the 2nd world war the commanded of the force found the English having one last waltz.
Singapore didn’t fare well during the war the history of the time records the facts in nasty detail. However Raffles survived and was rebuilt, modernised and now is one of the destinations of Singapore.
A trip upstairs to the Long Bar to the place where the Singapore Sling was invented sometime between 1919 & 1915 takes you back to those great times. These days however the tourists are clad in typical clothing worn by such people so the glamour of 100 years ago is long gone.
The drink however has changed little, it is sweet, refreshing and very powerful. Just the way I like my drinks!
The bill for two Slings and a beer was S$80. We are on holiday – money well spent to be in the company of great writers, politicians and royals from time long past.
Day one – Singapore (back once again)
A shower and rest after our flight made us feel human again
and so we were ready to hit the city running! This is my fourth
visit here, Murray’s first so I quickly laid out some thoughts of
things to do. We were very close to Sim Lim Square, the home of
great camera bargains in this city so we walked the 2 minutes to
the centre and whilst they were not completely open at this hour
Murray got an idea of the magnitude of the place. We had been
looking for a new camera to replace our trusty Canon G9 and were
looking at a SX30 IS or maybe the G12. Prices here were definitely
cheaper than what we could buy back home but we dithered and too
date still haven’t purchased one. Maybe in Hong Kong. A quick
wander through the Bugis Road area, delving into side street,
markets etc gave Murray a quick overview of the multiple-cultural
aspects that make up this City state. Wandering past the main
Chinese temple showed us just how lucky the local population
consider this place. At 12 noon the temple and the pavements
outside was a seething mass of people leaving offerings, praying
and socialising with others. Onwards we go, heading towards
Raffles, I need a Singapore Sling and Murray needs to see a part of
Singapore that is often talked about, where history was made and
time has stood a little still. The Long Bar is an institution here,
and it’s a place I visit each time I come back. The free peanuts
still in their shells that you dispose of on the floor once the
contents have been retrieved would caused many a safety officer
back in australia apoplexy. Strangely enough, I’ve yet to see
anyone slip on the shells. Interesting.
Brisbane – Singapore (we’re on our way)
SQ246 departing BNE 2345. Flying at 11503 meters with room sufficient to perhaps change ones mind but no room to actually get comfortable. I’m glad though that I got the window seat as it allows me to sleep spread into the window space.
Flight time 7 hours 10 minutes of which I only encountered around 3 hours. I like these quick flights. Sleep is good when you can get it.
Arrival into Singapore and getting through formalities easy peasy, ah you have to like the Sinaporeans model of friendly efficiency.
Made Murray’s day by getting a Chrysler 300C taxi to the hotel, he’s always wanted to travel in one. Personally I will admit to them being a car, nothing more, but Muzz was happy and after all, that’s my main role in life isn’t it 
Arrived at hotel at 6am to be told that check-in was 2pm but they put us straight into the room anyway. Yay! So to bed for 3 hours to replenish batteries.
Not long to go now
Well we are 8 days out from our trip and the anticipation is building nicely. Singapore, Hong Kong, Pattaya and Bangkok – 3 glorious weeks.
I guess I should start to tell people about this blog so they can follow our trip if they so desire
Busy week ahead, nights are filling. Our organisational skills being used to ensure we don’t miss something major.
There is a chance that we are going to have a quick trip out on the boat today. Nice!
Our first time on a Cruiseship
Back in December 2008 we went on our first cruise. It was a 16 night cruise around New Zealand on Rhapsody of the Seas. What a great time we had, met lots of lovely people, ate too much, drank too much. Revisited parts of NZ that we hadn’t seen for 30 years. I’ve been posting a few pics of the ship, coming soon are pics taken at the various places we called into.
What’s this blog going to be all about?
I’ve been meaning to start this blog for ages, the domain-name was sitting there gathering dust, I just wasn’t making use of it. In 3 weeks we are leaving for a 3 week holiday in Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand and I wanted a place where I could keep a travel diary, post some pictures from the travels and generally keep friends updated with what we were up to.
Over the next weeks I’ll be tinkering with the blog, the image gallery and my ability to update it on the road with the iPad then hopefully, when we get in the big bird I’ll know that the technical aspects won’t let me down.
I’m on my way!
Once I get this software customised then I think we’ll be sailing!
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