FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Bangladesh, Burma and Beijing the Long Way (with stops in Laos, Singapore and Tokyo)

May 29, 2018 | 1:00 pm

#21

swingaling

Join Date: Apr 2017

Location: PVD, BOS

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 1,664

Singapore - Day 1

Singapore
Day 1

Once I'd dropped off my bag, the first order of business was exploring the nearby area. I quickly found the attached shopping malls and decided I was sorely in need of a new pair of sneakers. Within no time, I'd located the Asics Store (after searching in vain for the Nike Store) and purchased a new pair of sneakers. Newly shod, I was ready to go out into the city for the evening. My first stop was Gardens By The Bay near the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

I took a cab from the hotel to the Gardens, which cost $10 SGD ($7 USD) for the short drive. I got walloped by the evening surcharge, but it was a lot faster and more convenient than taking the metro. I arrived at the Gardens shortly before 9 PM and wandered over to the Supertree Grove.

Supertree Grove

Supertree Grove

Unbeknownst to me, there is a (nightly?) light show at the Supertree Grove that begins at 9:00 PM. So, I was coincidentally right on time to catch the entire show. There were loads of people waiting there for it to begin, so I must've been in the minority of oblivious folks in the right place at the right time.

They light the trees and play classical music along with the light show. The whole thing lasted may 10-15 minutes and was quite nice. It was still very hot and humid outside, even at 9PM, but the light show was an unexpected treat.

Supertree Grove Light Show

Supertree Grove Light Show

Once the show was over, I started heading toward the Marina MRT station. Unfortunately, the signage in the gardens was maddeningly confusing and it took a while to find the MRT station. I entered near the Sands, but I know there was a closer entrance. A bit frustrating, but I found it eventually.

Marina Bay Sands
Nice Lighting

Marina Bay Sands
Nice Lighting

Singapore Flyer

Next stop was a hawker center for some dinner (hopefully). On the way, I took a stroll down the Chinatown Food Street, which had quite a number of restaurants.

Chinatown Food Street

Chinatown

When I arrived at the Maxwell Hawker Center, most of the stalls were closed for the night. The ones that were open didn't really appeal to me. So, I got a lime juice to go and made my way back to the nearest MRT station. I took the MRT to the hotel and decided to get some room service instead. I was hot, sweaty and exhausted by that time (roughly 10:30 PM), so I was glad to rest in the air conditioned hotel room.

Room Service
Hainanese Chicken Rice and a Bottle of Water

Room Service
Fruit Salad

Not the best chicken rice I've had, but pretty good. Definitely hit the spot after a very long day. I went to bed around 11PM because I had a relatively early morning the next day.

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