Marks Birthday

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Maaaaaaark,
Happy Birthday to you!

its Marks birthday today so its especially nice that we have family over to see him on his special day. Mark hates birthdays so we normally keep them quite small, apart from the time we went to Edinburgh on a surprise trip, or when I've decorated the whole house, or when i've taken him out for dinner, or had a great big birthday tea with all of his favourite foods.  Ok, i don't do little birthdays at all!
We had cinnamon rolls and bacon for breakfast as a treat out on the patio and then headed down to Vivo to find a present Mark would pick out for himself.  Our visitors could get to see some shops and we'd also be able to show them Sentosa from the roof of Vivo.
When we arrived we immediately decided it was entirely appropriate to stop for a rest as we'd been circling the car park for a full 15 minutes prior to finding a space.  We were initially disappointed when our new car wouldn't arrive in time for people coming, but now we are happy we have the small one that can fit into tiny spaces.  We headed up to Starbucks to grab something cold and people watch before hitting the shops.
Marks first port of call was a gadget shop, but nothing appealed so we run an errand for my uncle and went to the camera shop...big mistake, huge mistake.  As soon as we got in Mark wanted whatever my uncle had and started asking about cameras and the different accessories he could get that would go along with it.
My aunty and i wanted to see some real shops aka clothes shops and went our own direction after waiting about for the men for too long.  We looked at some shorts in different places before i found the most beautiful maxi dress in Warehouse-one of my favourite shops in Scotland.  When the sales assistant asked if i was going to buy it for any occasion i replied it was for going to KK!  When i got to the counter, however, i found that there was a long pulled thread running right down the front.  booo, so i never got my new dress after all.
When we got home i started to make Marks birthday tea which took longer than i had originally guessed which meant we weren't able to follow our original plan of going to the animal safari.  Mark seemed to have a really good time and our visitors are still happy (and haven't been poisoned by my cooking just yet), so things are still looking good!

Lazy Day and Planning

Today was quite a lazy day as Mark and I headed up to the Navy Exchange for some groceries whilst our visitors took the opportunity to laze by the pool and sit in the warmth of our lovely Singapore sunshine and read or relax.
Whilst shopping we spotted Rob and Sarah who were also getting their big-shop in.  We were like 'kids in a sweet shop' picking up all of the items we had gone so long without, didn't think was normally good value or hadn't seen before.  
When we got back we decided to write down everything everyone wanted to do and arrange days to do them on.  I wish i had done this with my Mum and Grama when they came over as its really quite stressful trying to guess what things people will enjoy, and even worse-heartbreaking when they announce things aren't to their liking.
We now have three full weeks of things to do and it looks like the only time we'll be able to sit down is when we go on our holiday to kk!

A Proper Welcome

Our visitors arrived safe and sound today at the appropriate time.  (After i thought they were 4 hours late, frantic phone calls to the airline, making Mark panic mid-meeting, and then finding out i was 24 hours wrong). We needn't have worried as the limo took them right to the house just before Mark arrived home.  The welcome to Singapore dinner went better than the arrival dinner my poor Mum and Grama got and my Aunt and Uncle seemed to be doing well after such a long flight.
After we chatted and got something to eat (and drink from those coconuts i spent ages trying to cut open) we went for a little drive around town and ended up going down Orchard Road to show off some of the sights of our new city.
We then headed down to Marina Bay to show off the hotel just when we noticed that it was getting quite close to the time we could park up and see the water, light and sound show.  We managed to find a space quite quickly so the men-folk played with their cameras whilst the women spoke about the shopping opportunities and the ladies nights at the sky bars.
Everyone seemed really impressed with the show, although being a Friday it was super crowded. Pasar Bella had also set up a pop up kitchen where the seating for the show is normally meaning people were more squished together than normal.
Afterwards everyone seemed exhausted and our guests were more than ready for bed and the start of a really fun three weeks! Fingers crossed...!

Chartering a Yacht for the Night

Some time ago, in January I think, Amanda had called me to ask my thoughts about a 'chartering a yacht' groupon voucher she had just seen.  We would have to get a group of people together, but she outlined the price and what activities were included depending on what time/day you chose to go.

After talking it over with Mark we agreed it was a fantastic idea and quickly signed ourselves up for it.  This Saturday evening was D-Day and we got ourselves ready for a night out on our own catamaran.  In all 16 people came along which i think worked out as a perfect amount of people.  The boat could take 30, but i think at that point it would be a bit too crowded and not everybody would have been able to get a seat outside or move about as freely.  As it was also a groupon voucher we were only allowed a smaller amount of people on board so that the crew still made money from the trip.

I mostly knew everyone on the trip, and those I didn't I quickly introduced myself to.  Now that we've been in Singapore for 5 months I'd met most of the couples at either the Christmas party, coffee mornings or 'girls night outs'.  Although like most times we go out in Singapore my facebook friends list has an leap in numbers afterwards as everyone is so friendly.  

One couple volunteered to have pre-trip drinks at theirs and the bus was organised to meet us there too.  We arrived a little late due to a banking disaster i will outline in a whole other post (oh the joys), so we weren't able to get the party started until we were on the bus.  Once we arrived at Keppel Bay Mark and I had a good look around.  We'd never been to this part of town, although we had heard that Prive was a nice place to eat.  We met up with some friends who had made their own way down and then were led to our vessel for the evening!  

We decided to take our own drinks for the evening, but wanted the crew to take care of our food.  There was an extensive package, but we all finally agreed to the Indian menu which worked out well divided up between all of us.  After our welcome and the obligatory safety instructions we left the harbour and made our way around the island and Sentosa towards St Johns Island.

We listened to music and chatted in groups as we left the city behind us.  The champagne came out, but seeing as neither Mark or I really drink we got ourselves some peach tea and toasted the trip with the others!

The sun started to set as we dropped anchor for the evening and we watched the moon come out before our supper for the evening was prepared.  There was lamb curry and fish curry, really flavourful rice and chicken as well as profiteroles for dessert.  We watched the moon, chatted some more and even danced to some tunes on the way back before watching the fireworks at Sentosa.

Everyone agreed this was something we really had to organise again and I found myself nodding with the others.  One of the most common things I say in Singapore is.."remember what we were doing this time last year?"  Every time it is said with a grateful heart and joy.  Every time it is said is because we have been given an amazing opportunity.  Sometimes I can't help but stop and look around while I count my blessings.  

On the way back to the 'after-party' Mark and I were nominated to organise the snacks as everyone had gotten a bit wibbly for some reason or other....  So whilst everyone settled down with some more fizz we got the cooker fired up and started filling it with some more nibbles.  We managed to stay for about another hour before we agreed it was time for bed.

Luckily as Mark wasn't drinking we were able to jump in the car and head back to the other side of Medway and arrived home in no time.  Daisy as always had an inquisitive face, and because she had been so good whilst we were away for the evening I took her out for the last time that night.  It's a pity dogs aren't allowed on board as she would have loved the wind in her face too!
If this boat ever comes up on groupon again I would definitely say to buy the voucher.  In hindsight I would have tied my hair up and worn either trousers or a long dress as I am not used to blustery days after living here for a while now.

Grand Prix 2014

We've bought our tickets for the grand prix in Singapore!  As we aren't avid followers we've gotten seats in the Bay Grandstand which is the cheapest of the grandstands.  I'm looking forward to just watching everything around us!  

And Breathe (as well as other post visitor chores)

Boy we've been busy. Sorry for being MIA for so long, I guess busy life means empty blog!
With visitors coming and needing entertained 24/7 (yeah, I did just want to crash out on the sofa)...
We've been to the Arab Quarter, China Town, the aquarium, Little India, Marina Bay, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Orchard Street and for lots of little walks around Gardens by the Bay (and satay by the bay), Pasar Bella, Vivo and Medway.
It's been great having family to chat to and show around the city.  It's so weird to think how only 5 months ago I didn't want to head out the door, now I love this place and love showing it off.  When asked about when we're planning to head back I do a shifty look and change the subject-there's so much to do here (and that's exactly why we've been absent!)

Satay with Visitors

Ok, so by now you know we are addicted to Satay by the Bay.  I'm thinking of changing the blog title, really, we just can't help it.

So we are well and truly into our first set of visitors being here and are super busy.  Mark has lots of days off, but we pretty much get up and get going.  By the time it comes to tea time and heading home I am pushing past a wall of extreme tiredness by making the quickest meal I can.

My Mum and Grama are only here for little over a week, so I am trying to show them as much as possible as there is so much to see.  Tonight Mark took us out to Satay by the Bay for a feast so that I would not only have no cooking to do, but no clearing up after either.

(Mark..?  Why aren't I one of those rich housewives that have a helper and go out for brunch every day?)  Ok, well seeing as he is being entirely unreasonable (read-normal) I will be thankful for what I have....

and what I have is a very full tummy after this massive feast.  Urgh...I can't move....

S.E.A. Aquarium

One of the things that my Mum and Grama really liked the look of when looking up things to do in Singapore was the S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa.  We always thought that going on a weekday would be much preferable to pushing and barging our way through weekend crowds and with my Grama with us I really didn't want to have people rushing her to see things.

I didn't bother to check where we could park on the island as seeing as practically the whole place was a tourist trap i thought it would be very well signposted...first big mistake.  We'd went onto Sentosa before by accident and the toll booth guy kindly waved us through and told us where to turn around to get back onto West Coast Road.  So this time, fully intending a trip to Sentosa, we headed to the toll booths, asked for directions to the aquariums parking and headed off in the general direction he told us to go.

Unfortunately i thought parking would be a similar set up to Disney World or Universal in Florida, so when we didn't see giant car parks or signs we got a bit panicky.  After going back for help twice we eventually parked at The Hard Rock Hotel and found our way out of that resort.

Once we did get to the aquarium we found it was a very short queue for tickets and a very easy stroll into the venue.  There was a small show about how Chinese traders would travel the globe and the treasures at the bottom of the ocean.  There was a small cafe and the turn styles to get into the actual aquarium.  Once through we walked past displays of items that would have been traded from and with Asia and then went into another theatre with had a show about a storm and a ship sinking.  It was quite good as when we left the theatre we found we had sunk to the bottom of the ocean and were underground to start viewing the fish.

There was a giant display cabinet showing a capsized ship in the window and lots of different types of fish swimming about around it.  This window had no information about the fish on it, but was just beautiful to watch.

The more we walked around the more we saw and learnt about the fish.  They were split into geographic areas so that we saw lots of tropical fish, colder climate species, and then jelly fish.  This led us onto a giant glass wall which we stared at for ages.  The only problem with the place was that there was a distinct lack of seats.  Even the cafe areas were standing or bar stools which didn't work out to well for all of our party.

Mark could have stayed there all day he loved it so much, but because i got confused about where to walk to at one point i made everyone miss the observation area that was in a circular room.  It was only a different way to view the giant glass wall, but i feel bad i made everyone miss it all the same.  Its behind this wall that the restaurant was, however i didn't fancy chowing down on fish seeing as where we were ("fish are friends, not food" as one shark once said in Finding Nemo)

We had a snack at one of the standing cafes, and we completed the second part of the tour a lot quicker.  We were starting to get tired feet and wanted something real to eat.

We definitely have to come back here.  It was $38 pp and could easily keep you entertained during the hottest hours of the day when you are looking for something to do.  If you don't mind sitting on the floor or being on your feet all day you will certainly have a great time.

 Its very superficial, but i loved the more colourful fish best, and whizzed past the boring old grey ones, but i guess everyone has their favourites.

Of course a couple of my favourites were Dori and Nemo...the busiest of all windows!

The very last exhibition was the shark tank which you had to walk through.  We took a few snaps but had already seen the ice cream stand (quite literally) at the end of the tunnel and so sped off in that direction.

 At $9 per small average tasting tub it was a bit much, but we were ready for something to eat.  We mooched around (seeing as there was nowhere to sit) to eat it before venturing into the obligatory gift shop at the exit.  My Mum and Grama picked up a few things for my Brother and then we went off in the search for real food.

So for any other visitors coming our way you WILL be taken here.  Just look at this little guy, cute or what?

Gardens by the Bay by Day

After such a great trip out to Satay by the Bay the other day we wanted to come back and see the gardens in the day light.

I don't think I am ever going to get tired of this view, its amazing.

There was a cool breeze coming from the river so we managed to walk around in relative comfort.

Such a nice relaxing Sunday, Mark has to go away this week and will only just make it back before our first set of first visitors....my Mum and Grama come and visit.  So exciting!

Crane Dance at Sentosa

One day I walked over to Sentosa via The Board Walk (which only costs $1) and saw the weirdest metal looking structure with a seating arrangement facing it.  From the seats I could see that people would look at this and then beyond to Vivo City.  Fast forward to the evening and all becomes apparent. 

Source and Sentosa Information

Thursdays to Mondays (as well as public holidays) from 9 pm the structures rise to become two cranes.  The blue and pink cranes fall in love to light shone into the spraying water with music playing in the background.  They get bigger and bigger (or raise higher and higher), until you see the screens on their chests showing more of the story. 

 When we have visitors I plan on taking them to see this after getting a bite to eat at Vivo City.  I think it would be a nice way to end an evening as it would also be a good way to let food rest as everything here is delicious and it’s very easy to overeat!   

Start of the Tourist Season

My old boss, Kenny, came to visit in early February which gave me the chance to hone our tour guiding skills.  Kenny was the best boss I’d ever had and I’d been looking forward to giving him a grand tour since before I left the UK.  

Kenny’s friend Ivan had moved to Singapore on a whim only a couple of months before Mark and I found out we’d be moving too.  I remember Kenny speaking about Ivan when Mark had applied for the job here and we weren’t sure how things were going to work out (as well as all of the to-ing and fro-ing that goes along with establishing a new post).  I obviously couldn’t say anything but I listened a little too eagerly when Kenny spoke about what Ivan was up to and what Singapore was like.

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Kenny and I had been emailing off and on trying to sort out where we would meet up and what sort of thing he’d like to be taken to see.  He had tried to get a sim card to make things easier, but unfortunately he had the same amount of luck with that as I did when we first arrived.  This meant that when he told me to meet him at his condo I accepted the sketchy directions and entrance he suggested meeting at.  When I got there I realised it wasn’t as easy as “the door next to the road where the guard stands.”  Having no experience of condos at all I now know I need people to be super specific!

When we eventually met up, after a few tense emails sent with super low battery on my phone, we jumped on the bus into the financial district.  We stopped by Ivan’s office, embarrassed ourselves by staring wide eyed (and mouthed) at the views, then went for a coffee.  We then walked round Marina Bay so I could show him the top of the Sands hotel and had some buttery chicken curry for lunch at the shops.  I made a big fuss of the helix bridge, but he remained unimpressed until he got to the other side of it.  I several pictures of him with the skyline in the background as the only pics he had taken before weren’t really going to be suitable to show family back home.  I think Ivan had only shown Kenny around the bars…so some good wholesome entertainment was called for.  Especially if his Mum expected to see lots of holiday snaps.

We then took the MRT onto Orchard Road (mostly so I could show him another site before quickly moving on to something a bit more interesting) and we got a fresh juice.  It was at this point I saw him massaging his feet, apparently I’m more used to walking around in this heat than him!

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I had been looking forward to this visit for ages and one of the reasons is that its only a couple of weeks until my Mum and Grama come out and visit.  I remember thinking in late November that as soon as Kenny arrived it would only be weeks between other visitors. 

As happy as I am to get visitors and her news from Aberdeen, I’m also really glad that I love it here as much as I do.  There was a while there that I questioned if we’d done the right thing.  I think that when you chat about your new life with old friends it really puts things into perspective.  The things that the old friends are explaining are so different from all of my experiences now, and although I will obviously love each visit (as well as visitor), I also love that I am showing them around my new home town.

Wonder Full, Light and Water Show at Marina Bay

The Marina Bay Sands has a water show that’s put on every night for free at the Promenade, called Event Plaza, in front of the shops.  On school nights it is on at 8pm and 9.30pm, but on Friday and Saturday nights there is another show at 11pm. 

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The water show is put to some lights and music and lasts 15 minutes.  There is also a light show with lasers from the top of the Sands Hotel at the same time.  Its for this reason I would recommend seeing in twice in one night if you can.

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If you sit at Event Plaza near to where the water taxi stops on a specially made little platform you can watch the water show, you would then walk around the bay (so as if you are walking to the Merlion or Fullerton Hotel) to see the laser part of the show.  I have seen the laser part from the Gardens by the Bay side and didn't think it was as beautiful as watching it over the bay.  However others have said they have seen it from the Gardens, so check it out yourself and remember to report back!