Saturday, February 5, 2011

Travel log - Singapore and the Bunny of Abundance


Happy New Year everyone!!


Bunny of abundance


Display, Changi airport


Chinese New Year, that is... the year of the rabbit, which incidentally fell on my birthday. I decided to leave the glomps aside... cheered by the fact that a very very large portion of the world population are making merry with me. Mind you, nothing very merry happened, but I did get 96 birthday wishes via Facebook. Mark Zuckerburg, you rock!

In addition, Darling and I just returned from what is now turning out to be my yearly pilgrimage to Singapore. For a small country, there certainly is a LOT of shopping to be done over there, and fiscal status being marginally healthier than before, I was able to indulge in shoes, clothes and handbags... woot!

What I admire is how much they capitalise on the tiny resources they have and make them into mega attractions. We finally managed to find time to go and watch the much lauded laser show at Sentosa island "Songs of the Sea"... it was lovely, and I've put up a few highlights below. Better, longer videos can be found on Youtube.




Highlights from the show

As expected, every street corner was decked out for the Chinese New Year, with larger than life bunnies and orange trees thickly covered with real oranges. Did I mention the word shopper's paradise?






The sweet-toothed glut in me succumbed to the luscious cream puffs that called out temptingly from every food court and sweet stall. They were lovely, creamy and very subtly sweetened, unlike ones I have tasted before that would give a person instant hyperglycaemia!


Triple chocolate and blueberry creamcheese puffs...


We also explored our wild side by getting one of D's "happening" friends to introduce us to the Singapore nightlife. So there we were, strolling along Clark Quay on a Friday night, gawking at the skyhigh skirts and thigh high boots adorning the ladies, and the elaborate tattoos on the guys. Suddenly this chap in a white coat, carrying a IV drip stand rushes by us. We both do a double take and then focus on one of the bars, aptly termed the "Clinic". The "chairs" are wheelchairs or hospital bed styled sofas. The lights are the sort you find in the OT... and the drinks well, they are served IN the IV infusion set, which is placed on a stand near the patron's chair, and he sips it through the bit which usually goes into a vein.

Real godayata magic stuff.

The Clinic

My trusty camera failed me just about then, so could get only one photo. Note the guy with the drip set in the left side. More pics and reviews can be found here, and here.

We spent the next few hours in an absolutely packed club, gyrating to some great music... none of that awful house stuff! There were two very spacious rooms on either side of the dance floor, great place to play pool or darts or just chillax when tired of dancing. The smokers were in a nice enclosed area by themselves... something that was much appreciated.

All in all, it was a hectic trip, mostly because it was work related for both of us, and also because we were scurrying to get the maximum stuff (and shopping) done in the limited time available. Thanks to the ready hospitality of my dear friends S and D, we once more had a place to crash in and a great saving as hotels are really very expensive.

Hope you enjoyed the post!

10 comments:

PseudoRandom said...

Happy belated birthday! Looks like you had a great time. And isn't it lovely when the smokers are locked away? The smoking ban was the best thing that happened to UK nightlife. It's one of the many reasons I hate going out in Colombo.

Janith said...

Lovely stuff. Sentosa really is awesome isn't it? :D And that blueberry cream puff looks delicious! :D And LOLing at the clinic, though admittedly I'd never step inside a place that reminds me of hospitals. xD

dogfight said...

Happy New Year !! Hope the Year of the Rabbit is a Good One !!

Serendib_Isle said...

Belated birthday wishes Angel, hope the Year of the Rabbit brings you love, laughter and happiness always!

Gadgetgirl said...

belated birthday wishes angel darling.

Hoot-a-Toot said...

Happy belated b'day!!! I miss Singapore!!!!! I miss those buns and other food!! I miss the decorations. I miss the shopping!!

Jack Point said...

Happy birthday! Sorry I'm late.

santhoshi said...

belated Birthday wishes Angel!
like the cream puff and the hand bags lol

Angel said...

Thanks so much for the wishes, everyone!

I luv you all!

Knatolee said...

I liked Singapore in the brief 36 hours I spent there (on the way to Sri Lanka!) I remember the airport being quite beautiful with lots of flowers.

And The Clinic is great!