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Post by tod2 on Mar 22, 2017 17:09:03 GMT
Aah! No S E N T O S A A A A! what a pity, but as they say...always a next time. We have stayed at the Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa three times and I love the tropical feel. Most of what you mentioned was going on 10 years ago, if not longer, but it is a magical place just waiting to wow the tourist. So glad you didn't go to Batam - awful place. I am so ready for a bowl of Fish head soup!!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2017 17:17:41 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 22, 2017 17:35:46 GMT
This is so amazing. I have to say, of all the things I've seen or read about Singapore, this thread is the very first time I've understood its appeal. I am just goggling at the mix of (to my eyes) Asian exoticism and the-wonderful-world-of-tomorrow aspects of the place. Surely it won't be long before all the 21st century vehicle traffic is replaced by monorails and self-driving pod cars. The economic power is mind-boggling, too -- not only the banking, but the sheer size of the port.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2017 17:36:41 GMT
I stayed in the hotel tower looming above this area twice in the past. I am beginning to think that I have been to Singapore more times than I thought I had.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2017 5:03:58 GMT
Parkview Square is of course one of the most expensive buildings in Singapore. It houses the consulate of Oman, the embassies of the U.A.E., Austria and Mongolia. It was built in 2002 and was inspired by the Chanin Building in New York, an art deco masterpiece built in 1929. Singaporians call it the "Gotham Building" because it reminds them of Batman.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2017 5:13:15 GMT
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Post by mossie on Mar 23, 2017 16:46:47 GMT
I note they can't spell Paris in that station
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Post by tod2 on Mar 25, 2017 10:57:32 GMT
Ha Ha Mossie! You are an observant old geezer - but Pasir Ris is one of the estates or districts as you might of guessed! As far as I can remember when hearing the announcement on the speaker in the MRT train, it sounded like 'Pasaar Rees'. Kerouac will probably remember better. Oh so sad - your wonderful absolutely wonderful photo essay has come to an end. So many memories stirred up when I see street names. In reply#63 , 3rd photo of a bazaar goodies I spotted the pink, cream, and green heads of the famous Singapore LION. I noticed on the advert for the Agrobazaar that I am referred to as an old age 'Pioneer' not Pensioner. I suppose all old people in Singapore must have been some kind of pioneer. You certainly travelled light! Good for you.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 25, 2017 16:33:22 GMT
I just went through the whole thread again, as there are too many wonders to take in adequately at one viewing. So happy to see that you gave us a look at the "brown building", as I was puzzled earlier in the thread as to why you didn't zero in on it. Wow ~ that was leaving one of the best things for last! This report could also be used as an appetite stimulant, with all the great pictures of food and menus. And people certainly are out and about taking advantage of everything Singapore has to offer the pedestrian, something that makes the city seem very appealing. Highest praise for a report that really gives a sense of place.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2017 17:52:09 GMT
Even before my first trip to Singapore more than 30 years ago, I was already hearing that it was not worth visiting because it was "too clean" and it wasn't the real Asia. This already annoyed me, because it implied that the real Asia is a dirty stinky place, and that's what we're supposed to like. I do understand that, because I like the "other" Asia, too with its sensory overload, mixing pristine untouched areas with polluted cities, raw sewage and total culture shock. But I don't like pollution or raw sewage in Europe, so there is no reason for me to like it in Asia, and it makes my happy that certain cities like Singapore have tried their damnedest to improve conditions for everyone.
Another main criticism of Singapore is its politics, basically a one-party dictatorship that tolerates no dissent. And over the years we have all read the stories about how it banned chewing gum or sentenced a privileged American ex-pat teen to being caned for writing graffiti on the walls of the city. For many years, one had to fill out a landing card upon arriving in Singapore which was in black and white but with a message in red in a box that said "Death penalty to drug traffickers." Between 1994 and 1998, Singapore had the second highest execution rate in the world after Turkmenistan with almost 14 executions per million people. In the last 5 years, there have been 7 executions. There were none in 2012 and 2013. 95% of Singaporeans support capital punishment. We can only hope that the country will evolve politically in the future, but of course there have been recent examples of major countries evolving in the wrong direction, so it is best to be careful before criticising Singapore.
In any case, over all of these years, I have heard hundreds of people say "Oh, I would never go there. It doesn't interest me." Frankly, it is their loss, not mine. A lot of these people seem smug along the lines that "I have been forewarned about it and would never be stupid enough to fall into the trap of going there, because I am really intelligent." It is sort of like people who say that the Disney parks are horrible even if they have never set foot in one.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 25, 2017 21:02:19 GMT
This is a stunning thread Kerouac, really enjoyed viewing the images and reading your commentary. Very interesting, thank you.
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Post by questa on Mar 26, 2017 2:30:20 GMT
Oh Kerouac, what have you done to me! I can only drool at your marvellous images of one of my favourite places. You have caught the essence of the city with all its bling, glitz and kitsch hanging out.
Singapore...a cross between a theme Park and a war memorial, a multicultural society that works well most of the time but not much democracy. Apparent law abiding citizens but the only city where I became aware that I was being followed in a public park by an unsavory type (who backed off when I armed myself with a sturdy branch and walked straight at him.)
I've lost count of my visits there. It is the logical stopover for Ozzies heading North, and is like a new city each time I visit. I always stay in Waterloo Street (now a pedestrian area) at the S.E.Asian Hotel. Small family run Chinese travelling salesman place. Next door is the Buddhist temple, then the Indian temple, then more historic places. Bugis market and cafes across the road with the Hawkers Corner and a Dept Store nearby. Free shuttle from door to Changi Airport where you could spend days just exploring and admiring that establishment.
Chatting to a Doctor as we shuttled into town, I commented on the huge apartment blocks lining the route (along with hanging gardens on all the elevated pedestrian crossings). He said the concept was of "vertical villages".Each block had its own medical centre, hairdressers, child care etc. on the lower floors, with apartments above. Kids playgrounds where lawns and gardens were maintained added to the community feel.
I could make comments all night but just one will do. The spectacular casino building is designed to withstand the typhoons that hit it and there is a system that adjusts the buildings as the ground settles.
Thank you K2 for such a marathon posting which has brought back many memories. I sat in my hotel room watching the build up, strike and horror of Hurricane Katrina on TV so many years ago.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 4:41:01 GMT
Thank you, questa. While I appreciate all of the compliments people have made about this thread, it means even more coming from someone who knows Singapore very well (and I'm not forgetting you either, tod2). My own favourite hotel from the past was the Hotel Bencoolen on Bencoolen Street, so not too far from your base.
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Post by questa on Mar 26, 2017 9:58:11 GMT
I did the ferry to Batam trip once. The driver picking up the passengers from hotels was obviously chemically enhanced. He collected us but didn't know where to take us. We mutinied and made him go to the pier where we boarded a ferry rather tentatively. After ages of looking at water we arrived at the island just as a huge storm hit. Full effects lightning, thunder like bombs and solid sheets of rain. Our minibus bogged in minutes and we entered the pathetic tourist area under tow from a passing truck.It was too wet and slippery to explore, but the little kids came and stared at us and played in the mud. I was getting concerned as I had an early flight next day, and couldn't see our decrepit vessel making it back tonight. Then ...O Joy...they were sending a "big boat"...the "fast launch" to our aid. My visions of the marine scenes in James Bond movies faded as the rescue boat appeared identical to our hulk, maybe a few seats more. One of the great sights of the world that no-one raves about is Singapore Harbour at night, away from the glitz of the foreshore. There are 70 or so ships moored offshore, some with minimal navigation lights and others done up like Christmas trees.They are waiting to load or off load all manner of cargoes. The lines run out for kilometres and the little tenders chug around transporting crews ashore or back to sleep it off. I wish some of the characters from yesteryear could see Singapore today...Joseph Conrad, Kipling, Raffles and the early settlers of other traditions. Culture shock on a large scale.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 10:26:14 GMT
I know the harbour is absolutely spectacular by day or by night (but even more so at night) especially when seen from the plane before landing.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 10:39:30 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Mar 26, 2017 18:15:49 GMT
Bravo, what a show. I now want to see it all for myself.
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Post by questa on Mar 27, 2017 1:31:15 GMT
.. Kerouac have you ever hopped the MRT and done a complete circuit of the island - maybe with one or two changes? It's my most favourite thing to do as you can hop off in many of the tall blocks of apartments with just a restaurant for the immediate locals. I did a circuit one time...fascinating trip, Rode each line to its terminus then wandered around there. One place had the Island's Buddhist temple for cremations. Here family members did the rites including burning paper replicas of things the departed might want in the afterlife...Mercedes Benz cars, TV sets, wads of cash, air con and refrigerators...all beautifully modelled just to be set on fire. Another rail end had a large pool with dozens of tortoises swimming around or clambering on the rocks. These symbolised 'long life' and it was auspicious to feed hard-boiled egg to them. After exploring the MRT termini I was about to take the last leg to my hotel when a public announcement called for "the lady with the blue backpack near gate # to go to office # ..." Expecting to be hurled into some prison I presented myself, only to be told the time limit on my ticket had expired and I needed a fresh one to get back to Bugis St and my hotel. Let no-one tell you Singapore is boring!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2017 3:22:35 GMT
When I went to the housing estate at Telok Blangah, I rode the MRT the long way around on the Circle Line (marked as a 57-minute ride on the board) insted of cutting across on another line that would have taken me there in under 10 minutes. I very much enjoyed the trip, but I was absolutely frozen when I arrived.
All of the new MRT lines are being built completely underground, even the ones to the outer housing estates, so unfortunately there is not much to see along the other way besides all of the people. I was reading that the principal reason for this is so that the stations can double as bomb shelters if necessary, which indicates that Singapore is still not completely comfortable about the surrounding region.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2017 4:27:09 GMT
President Hollande must have read my report, because he went to Singapore yesterday : Hollande seeks to boost ties with Asia I must say that there was a relatively astonishing number of French people when I was there, some living there and others visiting as tourists.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 29, 2017 13:06:34 GMT
Just when I thought it was O V E R, a lovely surprise awaited. I have never seen the "torpedo/ shark/ cucumber fish", so close! Thank you for walking us through the hotel and the great photos. The Singapore Flyer, The Gardens by the Bay and the submarine looking hotel were not in existance when I was last there. Actually about 9 years ago my son said I would not recognise half of Singapore if I were to visit. All I remember was that a MRT line was being built linking Sentosa. I only ever took the chair lift or mini bus taxi shuttle. Quite a pain. I had to laugh at Questa's shock announcement that her ticket had expired! My gawd, how brilliant is their surveillance! I am a person all for monitoring, and keeping the population on the straight and narrow. Why must a government allow people to cause trouble by invading another's space in a bad way. Some think it is too strict but the population on the whole have a mind set of 'Live and Let Live'. Take this example for instance: Our friends in Orchard Road are a married couple - he is Hindu and his children and in-laws are Budists. His wife is very Roman Catholic. When we had dinner in their apartment they had a shrine to Budda in one room and she had a huge statue of the Virgin Mary on an altar in part of their lounge. As you can imagine we were taken aback never having been exposed to so many religions under one roof. It could never happen here. We are so critical of each other's beliefs. This is the beauty about Singapore - It's a small island - either get on or get out! Looking at Kerouacs photos you have to have noticed the squeeky clean EVERYTHING! So wonderful to know you can eat anywhere without fear of tummy trouble - except when you overdo the satay I don't know whether Questa has visited at Christmas but do hope so. It is just the most splendid sight I have ever seen. Like Day of The Dead but all mistletoe and sparkly lights, thousands of little red pointed hats with flashing glow-in-the-dark lights, carols being sung by choirs in some of the hotel lobbies, enormous Christmas trees, and constant carols piped onto the street to remind you of England and snow It is a sight to behold! You may wonder how come all this Christianity...It's a huge religion in Singapore. Just look at the number of churches Kerouac showed us. Thanks again Kerouac to all your efforts. I bet you are missing that hot place already..
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Post by questa on Mar 29, 2017 22:31:31 GMT
I arrived in S'pore on the morning of Good Friday one year. Everything was closed...big shops, small shops and most food outlets. Men were sitting on footpaths playing chess and chatting. I asked why everything was closed and a Muslim guy told me it for Good Friday, that they all keep the major observances of each others faiths to prevent hostilities.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 3:30:19 GMT
Okay, one tiny last snippet. I was thinking of making a short report called "I Didn't See the Singapore Botanic Gardens" but that would have been stupid, right? It was after leaving Haw Par Villa that I decided to give the botanic gardens a try, because they were only a few stations away on the same MRT line. This is really the end of all of my photos now.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 30, 2017 6:13:34 GMT
Again, lovely photos of the flowers. I have never been to the gardens but have been to Har Par Villa but at the time it poured with rain and the whole place was as dead as a Dodo.
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Post by questa on Mar 30, 2017 12:50:40 GMT
Oh, Tod2, Didn't you see the small flock of dodos at the northern end of the Haw Par gardens...?
Just joking, but if anyone could establish such a flock, it would be Singapore.
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Post by mossie on Mar 30, 2017 15:16:15 GMT
Thanks for a very interesting thread, showing a place I know nothing about.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 30, 2017 16:52:51 GMT
Ha Ha Questa! One thing I did notice extentsibly in the Har Par Villa was that the stone statues had deteriorated even more than when we saw them. This was a big No-No for me and told me that place was a last entertainment venue for any tourist. I was very disappointed and did not see any of the new stuff Kerouac saw. The paint work at least was not peeling off like a bad sunburn.
Questa, I would rather cycle or walk to the Dolpnarium on Sentosa ( from the hotel of course) and see the prized Pink Dolphins. I am the first to admit that the 100% humidity saps the bloody life out of you and it over powers the heat. Heat is bearable in a dry climate - not in saturated humidity!
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Post by nycgirl on Apr 1, 2017 6:05:26 GMT
You certainly covered a lot of ground. I enjoyed going on this tour with you because I got to revisit places I saw on my one day there as well as see what I missed out on. The Atlas bar looks very nice. I'd like to drink in the decor while having a drink. I wanted to get a drink at the Marina Bay Sands (even though I'm sure it was exorbitantly priced) but my husband's shorts and flip flops didn't abide the dress code. Sigh. Your food pictures made me hungry. I loved the bowls of fish soup or curry when I went. I was surprised that the quality was so consistent. Not like here, where the food in touristy zones is complete swill. The efficiency of your packing is very impressive. Well done.
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Post by breeze on Apr 1, 2017 12:47:05 GMT
Lots of wonders here. Impressive that the botanic garden is a UNESCO world heritage site.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 7, 2017 20:39:08 GMT
I missed A BUNCH of this last page! I guess I thought the thread was finished. So glad it wasn't, as the latest additions are all so wonderful -- your architectural shots are yet again a high point for me. And I'm glad you got all hot and sweaty so we could see the botanic garden ~ lovely place, lovely photos.
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