The Tree Top Walk

Six years after our initial attempt to hike through MacRitchie Reservoir and the Tree Top Walk, we finally succeeded! 

We took a taxi to our nominated start point (there are a few to choose from, depending on how far you wish to walk) at Venus Drive. It was a beautiful day, hot and blue. I was grateful for the complete shade of the interwoven canopy above. 

The walk started gently enough, but good walking shoes are a must. The track was wet and muddy in places even though it hasn't rained much during our stay. 

The path alternated between water-rutted earth to well maintained wooden decking to road base. We climbed over 1000m in elevation during the 7km walk. The jungle steamed around us, which was quite spectacular to see. 

There were monkeys, squirrels, monster ants, a snake, butterflies and brightly coloured dragon flies. 

The view from the suspension bridge towards the reservoir was fabulous. We were hundreds of feet up in the air, but the tree tops were still far above our heads. 

At a certain point the polite wooden path disappeared and became clay and mud and rocks. We started to see people in army fatigues to go with the canon fire we'd been hearing for some time (the reservoir is next to the rifle range). They must have been doing an exercise, but it did feel a little strange - a bit 'Tomorrow When the War Began'.  

It was a great adventure, but very hot and tired, we were grateful to find a taxi at the end of the trail. A happy coincidence, seeing as there wasn't much else out there. 

Straight back to the hotel pool! It was 41 degrees today, which is unusually hot for Singapore. 

Lunch at the food court at Ion Orchard, a last look at the shops and then back for a rest and packing. We'd paid half the daily rate to stay in the room til 7pm - it makes it so much easier to pack and get ready. 

The trip to the airport was in heavy traffic, but check in, a breeze. We wandered the concourse until departure time. 

We left on time but arrived a little late due to unseasonal headwinds. The immigration and customs process is improving at Gold Coast Airport, and we were happily on our way less than an hour after landing. Parking was around $20 per day. 

Evening

Tonight we set out without a true plan. Suntec City was the first stop, to check out a few stores. 

Strangely, I have bought very little this trip. I think it has been our recent exposure to the USA with an amazing exchange rate that is my issue. Everything is more expensive here than in America. Still, it's fun to look. 

We walked through the pleasant evening to Arab Street and Haji Lane in Little India, hoping to see what these places become in the evening (we're usually visiting around 10am, when most are just opening for the day). Arab St was closed up, but Haji Lane did not disappoint. Interesting shops, bars, eateries and several hookah bars, with lounge beats floating into the street. 

Optimistically, we decided to see if one of our favourite restaurants, 'Platters', on Ann Siang Hill (Club St) was open (Monday).  Happy to find it was, we settled in and shared some tasty iberico chorizo and Serrano jamon, French Brie, warm baguette, lamb cutlets on ratatouille, and sensational pork belly, Asian style. Lovely wines by the glass, and very personal service. 

Sentosa

We set out this morning for Macritchie Reservoir and the Tree Top Walk.  This was our second attempt to do this walk, the first being several years ago when we were unaware that the Tree Top section is quite a few kilometers walk from the park entrance. We'd already walked a several miles from the MRT and I was struggling due to recent surgery, so we abandoned the attempt. 

At breakfast I re-read the brochure looking for our starting point, to see that it wasn't open on Mondays! 

We caught a taxi to Sentosa instead. I hadn't been to Sentosa since I was ten years old, apart from the cable car station. 

Sentosa has been completely rebuilt since those days. Resorts World, including Universal, and a casino now occupy a large portion of the island. There's a free light rail between the mainland and several island stops. There's a free bus service around the island, and there's a causeway access for vehicles. When I was young you could only reach Sentosa by ferry or cable car. 

We enjoyed wandering around. There's a large Merlion here - quite majestic compared to the original at Marina Bay. The beaches were a nice surprise - clean sand and water, with funky bars and lounge beats peppering the morning air. It looked to be a great place to hang out in the evening. 

Fort Soliso was closed for an event today, but it certainly seems worth a look through next time. It is old British Empire defence post, now a tourist site. 

We returned to the hotel pool which was nice and quiet after yesterday. It's nice to see the same staff each day, especially when they're so helpful. 

Let's drive a Ferrari

Today is my Husband's birthday. For as long as we've been together, we've holidayed for my birthday. Finally this year, we decided we should long have been doing the same for him. 

Yesterday, the hotel sent up a cake, with a candle and matches. A great touch. 

We slept in a little and then ordered our customary pot of coffee, delivered by a friendly Kevin. Having enjoyed yesterday's breakfast so much, we (sadly) googled the chain and headed out to our nearest one for breakfast. It was fabulous again.  

We wandered up Bras Basah Road in the morning heat, enjoying the sunny weather. 

After a look at the shops in 313 Somerset (a quiet, newer centre with a good food court on the top level) we caught the train back downtown to the Marina Bay Sands shops. 

We had lunch at the food court there - very busy on a Sunday! I had Hiananan Chicken Rice (rice cooked in stock with roasted chicken pieces, cucumber and a fabulous chilli and garlic sauce) and Dom tried their Char Kway Teow, a dark soy sauce and chilli coated flat fried noodles with shrimp and cockles and tofu. 

Then it was time for Dom's birthday present - a drive in a Ferrari F430 Spider. I'd purchased a 15 minute drive on the F1 track through a company called 'Ultimate Drive' which operates out of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. 

First, thanks to my lovely wife for organizing the drive, it was a fantastic experience. It was a little daunting in the beginning, driving someone else's $450,000 car through the crowded streets of Singapore! Once on the road all concerns were forgotten, carving through the traffic with that glorious exhaust soundtrack!! The car was surprisingly easy to drive so the tight and windy parts of the F1 track were great fun. I'll have to check the video to see how fast I actually went. I highly recommend it for a special occasion treat. Fantastic!!!

We walked across the bridge from Marina Bay to our hotel, entering via one of the shopping centers that connect to the Pan Pac, and headed for the pool to cool off. 

There's been a hockey tournament on in Singapore during our stay, with our hotel fully occupied. Many of the players and their families were at the pool this afternoon. 

During our walk through the Marina Bay Shoppes, we made a booking for dinner at a French restaurant. I also found another restaurant that I'd had noted in my 'Singapore' page on my phone for awhile now - 'Cut' by Wolfgang Puck. It looked fabulous, but unfortunately had huge price tags attached. Another time, perhaps. 

The DB Bistro by Daniel Boulud was an excellent choice. The staff were wonderful - attentive, knowledgable, engaging. I tried the escargot, served in a froth of garlic and parsley! The gruyere puffs were delicate and delicious. 

Dom ordered New England Casserole, which was served in a large earthen ware dish, filled with fish, prawns, clams, muscles, and spicy fennel sausage. He was very happy. The recommended wines were lovely. 

Saturday in Singapore

We woke early to a thunderstorm, lighting the dark morning hours. 

We had booked a sight-seeing bike ride through the city this morning, but it didn't seem like a great idea in the driving rain, so we cancelled. I had been looking forward to seeing the city from a different view point, and will re-book next visit. 

Being up early in a city that doesn't wake til 10am, we set off around the island by MRT. This is a great way to see the outer suburbs and how the locals live. The train travels above the ground for two thirds of the hour long journey. We loved seeing the imposing jungle growing unhindered across the road from towering apartment buildings. There are wide streets, local shopping complexes, big industry at work and glimpses of Johore Bahru (Malaysia) and the border gates. 

We found a great breakfast at Marché by Movenpick - something previously missing from our Asian holidays! Great coffee, too. After a little shopping we caught a taxi back through quite heavy traffic (everyone is out and about on a Saturday - shops and eateries were very busy) to Orchard Road, and walked to Newton Circus (another hawker centre) for a late lunch of Singaporean delights and Tiger beer. Many of the stalls do not open for lunch, but there's always something delicious to tempt. 

It had cleared to a beautiful blue skied, hot day and so we spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool. Green apples, cold water and towels all provided with a smile by Stalin, the pool boy. The staff are excellent at the Pan Pac. 

After a wander through SunTec City, which has been renovated since our last visit (I love that Singapore is constantly on the improve, but occasionally it is frustrating to be lost in places that you know 'well'), and caught a taxi to Club Street, Ann Siang Hill, to find it closed to traffic, and restaurant tables spilling out into the street. There are many fabulous bars and restaurants nestled side by side at these crossroads, and we're slowly checking them out. We had planned to eat at 'Platters', a restaurant we discovered during out last visit with our friends from Dubai, but weren't hungry enough to do it justice. Instead we opted for a table in the middle of the street at a Spanish restaurant and enjoyed delicious tapas dishes and tasty wines. 

A quick wander around the corner to Chinatown (to find our favourite food street also under renovation) and a taxi home. Taxis were easy to flag today, which is a pleasant change to weekdays. Much of the working public rely on taxis to get home during the week, making hailing one quite difficult from about 4pm til 9pm. 

Arrival

Singapore airport is one of the swiftest arrival airports I know. Off the plane, through immigration and bags are already waiting on the carousel. Walk straight through the doors and into a waiting taxi. Half an hour after touch down we were driving down the heavily treed East Coast Parkway to our hotel, the Pan Pacific Singapore. 

The Pan Pac has been renovated since our last visit, and the changes are substantial. Our room is comfortable, and the staff, still lovely. The hotel is in an excellent position at the Marina, with close access to the airport and the MRT (Singapore's train system). 

We headed out to our favourite hawker centre (local eating stalls) near Raffles Place, called Lau Par Sat, only to find it closed for renovation! Disappointed, we hopped a taxi back to the Marina area where there is another hawker centre, but it was crowded, with people already waiting for tables, so we opted for an Italian restaurant at the waterfront. 

Back to the Lion City

We're setting off on a short adventure to Singapore, one of our favourite cities. 

In July, Scoot (Singapore Airlines low cost carrier) offered a one-day only sale. I bought our tickets for AUD400, including seats, bags and meals. It's much cheaper to buy extra baggage online prior to travel than at the check-in counter. At the Gold Coast, it would have been AUD21 per extra kilo! 

At check-in this morning there were signs up advertising upgrades to Scoot Biz (business class) for AUD139 (plus a fee of AUD40!). I hadn't seen that before. That is much cheaper than buying Biz at the booking stage. 

We departed a little late due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. This is the same plane as the last time we flew Scoot, a B772 named Barry. 

Beaut day for flying and a half-full load, meant that we could stretch out and relax. No frills, but tasty meals and movies on iTunes for entertainment.

It is like a homecoming to be back amidst the soaringly majestic storm clouds and bleached blue sky, overflying the hundreds of enormous ships awaiting their turn at Singapore's busy docks.