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.