Scooting to Singapore
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GarrettM
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Hah! I think we did, although can't be sure as the wife bought it while I watched child. I have to admit I don't get the fuss. It's ok, but doesn't wow me.
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Great TR. Thanks for sharing your weekend.
GarrettM
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If you don't fancy seeing animal pictures, now is the time to look away.
Thursday morning and we were off to the Zoo! First though we had breakfast at the little coffee shop next door at the Park Hotel, called The Coffee Belt.
"Brick toast" for MrsGM sand waffles for me, while the young one devoured a large bowl of fruit salad.
Taxi to the zoo cost us a bit over S$20 with the flat rate, so quite reasonable I thought. The one back later cost a smidge over $15.
On to the animals!
Ring tailed lemur
Brown lemur enjoying some fruit salad
Asian otters!
One I'd never heard of until the night safari, the babirusa
Thursday morning and we were off to the Zoo! First though we had breakfast at the little coffee shop next door at the Park Hotel, called The Coffee Belt.
"Brick toast" for MrsGM sand waffles for me, while the young one devoured a large bowl of fruit salad.
Taxi to the zoo cost us a bit over S$20 with the flat rate, so quite reasonable I thought. The one back later cost a smidge over $15.
On to the animals!
Ring tailed lemur
Brown lemur enjoying some fruit salad
Asian otters!
One I'd never heard of until the night safari, the babirusa
GarrettM
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White rhinos
A random monitor lizard that was just enjoying the sunshine on the path
My favourite of the big cats, the cheetah. Although honestly there's no such thing as a bad big cat is there.
Zebras, and the first ostrich I've seen in the flesh. I didn't realise just how big they are.
The child getting a good look at lions
More cats! A jaguar.
A a white tiger. Got lucky here as this exhibit was closed today so we just got there in time.
Obviously this is such a small sample of the zoo's collection, but I couldn't be bothered trying to get decent pics of everything on my phone.
Much more enjoyable to focus on MissGM's excitement and enjoy the day with her.
I was a bit disappointed with the gift shop offerings though. Was hoping to find some sort of wide brimmed floppy hat but it was not to be.
A random monitor lizard that was just enjoying the sunshine on the path
My favourite of the big cats, the cheetah. Although honestly there's no such thing as a bad big cat is there.
Zebras, and the first ostrich I've seen in the flesh. I didn't realise just how big they are.
The child getting a good look at lions
More cats! A jaguar.
A a white tiger. Got lucky here as this exhibit was closed today so we just got there in time.
Obviously this is such a small sample of the zoo's collection, but I couldn't be bothered trying to get decent pics of everything on my phone.
Much more enjoyable to focus on MissGM's excitement and enjoy the day with her.
I was a bit disappointed with the gift shop offerings though. Was hoping to find some sort of wide brimmed floppy hat but it was not to be.
Last edited:
GarrettM
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Indeed. Thanks for spotting my deliberate mistake.
GarrettM
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We were back from the zoo in mid-afternoon, which gave us time to relax by and in the pool, as well as pre-pack for Friday's departure.
By this time I had found our outbound flight had been brought forward by three hours from 1500 to 1205.
That's actually a very annoying change, because it means we don't get the relaxing breakfast and morning we had planned for.
So we had to make the most of our last evening, and after some discussion we opted for a river cruise and and another hawker centre, this time the Hong Lim.
Our taxi driver tried to warn us away from this one, saying it had largely closed and wasn't anything like it used to be.
Of course he was right, and when we got there the joint was pretty shabby, so we walked instead to Clarke Quay, and got our tickets for the cruise. Dinner - now to be at the Maxwell Centre - would have to wait.
By this time I had found our outbound flight had been brought forward by three hours from 1500 to 1205.
That's actually a very annoying change, because it means we don't get the relaxing breakfast and morning we had planned for.
So we had to make the most of our last evening, and after some discussion we opted for a river cruise and and another hawker centre, this time the Hong Lim.
Our taxi driver tried to warn us away from this one, saying it had largely closed and wasn't anything like it used to be.
Of course he was right, and when we got there the joint was pretty shabby, so we walked instead to Clarke Quay, and got our tickets for the cruise. Dinner - now to be at the Maxwell Centre - would have to wait.
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Filling in time , I also checked out the zoo.
I find them really depressing and I am not sure why I go..anyway…
The show was mostly elephants ; uber sad, as the clever human supervised the dumb animal painting for the edification of the crowd.
The quality was amazing which made it all the more depressing..
Sorry to butt in….
I find them really depressing and I am not sure why I go..anyway…
The show was mostly elephants ; uber sad, as the clever human supervised the dumb animal painting for the edification of the crowd.
The quality was amazing which made it all the more depressing..
Sorry to butt in….
GarrettM
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Tickets for the Singapore River Cruise are S$25 per adult. Once again the not quite 3yo gets a free pass.
Boat departs from Clarke Quay, just near Hooters to be precise, takes a quick loop up river, and then heads out on the western side of the river, before returning up the eastern bank.
Some of the pics from along the way.
The bumboats
The old shop houses turned restaurants. I was unaware of this strip until we were told about it on the boat.
Merlion
It really is a superb skyline, and this is just part of it!
More impressiveness
Some scabby joint that everyone seems to like.
The Art-Science Museum
Would recommend the cruise if you're looking for a different perspective of the bay. It's quite a pleasant 40 minutes or so.
I also learnt on this ride that the Marina is actually Singapore's main source of drinking water. It's a reservoir created by the Marina Barrage downriver, which stops seawater coming in to mix with the fresh water of the river.
I reckon that's fascinating stuff.
After the cruise we hopped into a taxi and headed to the Maxwell Centre. Enjoyed some roast duck, braised pork, noodles, carrot cake, and fruit juices.
Then back to hotel to get the child to sleep and finish preparing for the flight home.
By now it was 9pm and I had to walk down to Farrer Park Station to return our MRT tourist passes. Sadly the ticket counter had closed, and I would not have the time in the morning to return.
So that was another $20 sacrificed to the Singapore Gods. Stupid flight change.
Boat departs from Clarke Quay, just near Hooters to be precise, takes a quick loop up river, and then heads out on the western side of the river, before returning up the eastern bank.
Some of the pics from along the way.
The bumboats
The old shop houses turned restaurants. I was unaware of this strip until we were told about it on the boat.
Merlion
It really is a superb skyline, and this is just part of it!
More impressiveness
Some scabby joint that everyone seems to like.
The Art-Science Museum
Would recommend the cruise if you're looking for a different perspective of the bay. It's quite a pleasant 40 minutes or so.
I also learnt on this ride that the Marina is actually Singapore's main source of drinking water. It's a reservoir created by the Marina Barrage downriver, which stops seawater coming in to mix with the fresh water of the river.
I reckon that's fascinating stuff.
After the cruise we hopped into a taxi and headed to the Maxwell Centre. Enjoyed some roast duck, braised pork, noodles, carrot cake, and fruit juices.
Then back to hotel to get the child to sleep and finish preparing for the flight home.
By now it was 9pm and I had to walk down to Farrer Park Station to return our MRT tourist passes. Sadly the ticket counter had closed, and I would not have the time in the morning to return.
So that was another $20 sacrificed to the Singapore Gods. Stupid flight change.
GarrettM
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Friday morning was a simple matter of checking out of the hotel, taxiing to the airport, checking in for flights, grabbing breakfast, and doing some quick duty free alcohol shopping.
To whit:
Flight left on time, and landed about 25 minutes early. Deplaned and through immigration with no delays, and within minutes we were in our car and driving home.
Got the toddler to bed without fuss and MrsGM and I enjoyed a hearty meal of fish and chips with a glass of pinot grigio to round off our week.
Next: final thoughts of hotels and airline.
To whit:
Flight left on time, and landed about 25 minutes early. Deplaned and through immigration with no delays, and within minutes we were in our car and driving home.
Got the toddler to bed without fuss and MrsGM and I enjoyed a hearty meal of fish and chips with a glass of pinot grigio to round off our week.
Next: final thoughts of hotels and airline.
GarrettM
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As I explained we stayed in two hotels for this trip, a circumstance of our own making due to the flight times.
Grand Mercure Roxy
Good, clean and modernish, with a half decent big breakfast available at the small cafe near the lobby.
Just the one night for us, and if we were staying longer we would have needed a bigger room for sure.
It's near East Coast Park so if you want to walk along the seafront, or enjoy kids activities it's quite good. There's a fair bit of development going on across the road though so I wouldn't call it pedestrian friendly necessarily.
Perfectly adequate for the $230/night we paid.
I'm happy to recommend it but I know similar value can be found closer to the CBD.
Parkroyal on Kitchener
Do not recommend.
The room was quite large, but it cost us an extra $160 to get it at check in, on top of the $800+ we'd previously paid.
Trying to get up and down from said room was more annoying. The five very small lifts can't accommodate more than a few people, and we had to wait for the third or fourth lift every single time.
When we did get in, half the time our key cards did not work so we had to get other guests to select our floor. Also the cards routinely failed to actually open our room doors. More than once I had to get a housekeeper to step away from her job to let us in. And even then one time she tried HER KEY did not open our door.
As mentioned previously the hotel itself is getting on a bit. Decor is very old and the bathrooms need a massive makeover.
No complaints about the staff, who were all helpful and pleasant.
There is a large development going on next door, with work late into the night, which was also an issue. Noise abatement is not so much a thing.
I would not stay in Little India at all again to be honest. It's just a bit too annoying to get anywhere of interest (for us), and I would much prefer to be based in the CBD or Colonial District.
The Fullerton would be on my dream list, and I am keen to try the very new and impressive Parkroyal on Pickering.
Grand Mercure Roxy
Good, clean and modernish, with a half decent big breakfast available at the small cafe near the lobby.
Just the one night for us, and if we were staying longer we would have needed a bigger room for sure.
It's near East Coast Park so if you want to walk along the seafront, or enjoy kids activities it's quite good. There's a fair bit of development going on across the road though so I wouldn't call it pedestrian friendly necessarily.
Perfectly adequate for the $230/night we paid.
I'm happy to recommend it but I know similar value can be found closer to the CBD.
Parkroyal on Kitchener
Do not recommend.
The room was quite large, but it cost us an extra $160 to get it at check in, on top of the $800+ we'd previously paid.
Trying to get up and down from said room was more annoying. The five very small lifts can't accommodate more than a few people, and we had to wait for the third or fourth lift every single time.
When we did get in, half the time our key cards did not work so we had to get other guests to select our floor. Also the cards routinely failed to actually open our room doors. More than once I had to get a housekeeper to step away from her job to let us in. And even then one time she tried HER KEY did not open our door.
As mentioned previously the hotel itself is getting on a bit. Decor is very old and the bathrooms need a massive makeover.
No complaints about the staff, who were all helpful and pleasant.
There is a large development going on next door, with work late into the night, which was also an issue. Noise abatement is not so much a thing.
I would not stay in Little India at all again to be honest. It's just a bit too annoying to get anywhere of interest (for us), and I would much prefer to be based in the CBD or Colonial District.
The Fullerton would be on my dream list, and I am keen to try the very new and impressive Parkroyal on Pickering.
GarrettM
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Flying with Scoot.
As mentioned in a previous report, I reckon Scoot Y offers some value in the right circumstance.
And after four flights with them I reckon I have nailed down what that circumstance should be.
Firstly forget about doing it with a late/overnight departure. Trying to sleep is pointless, even if your small child does so.
For that matter don't do it with small children. I reckon 5 or over would have to be the minimum, because you want them to be able to entertain themselves to some degree with self-provided IFE. By which I mean iPad/tablet or books etc.
I can live without in-seat IFE, but I hate not being able to check a map to see where I am. Can't stand it.
I would only really consider it as an early morning departure from Perth - which is currently not an option - travelling solo or with the wife.
As for Scoot long-haul... I now would not consider that under any circumstance.
The seat is comfortable enough, but not having IFE or seat power, plus being forced into buying food and water is just far too much.
I'd rather take the long view and fly with SQ for the extra money, and bank the VA points along the way.
As mentioned in a previous report, I reckon Scoot Y offers some value in the right circumstance.
And after four flights with them I reckon I have nailed down what that circumstance should be.
Firstly forget about doing it with a late/overnight departure. Trying to sleep is pointless, even if your small child does so.
For that matter don't do it with small children. I reckon 5 or over would have to be the minimum, because you want them to be able to entertain themselves to some degree with self-provided IFE. By which I mean iPad/tablet or books etc.
I can live without in-seat IFE, but I hate not being able to check a map to see where I am. Can't stand it.
I would only really consider it as an early morning departure from Perth - which is currently not an option - travelling solo or with the wife.
As for Scoot long-haul... I now would not consider that under any circumstance.
The seat is comfortable enough, but not having IFE or seat power, plus being forced into buying food and water is just far too much.
I'd rather take the long view and fly with SQ for the extra money, and bank the VA points along the way.
GarrettM
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Lastly, thanks again to all those who've kept up with me for this report.
It will be the last one I offer for a while, as we are holidayed out emotionally and financially for the rest of 2018.
Three trips in three months has taken a toll on us and MissGM, who needs to get back into a regular routine before she becomes a complete monster. And before we can contemplate the possibility of a second LittleGM.
Cheers!
It will be the last one I offer for a while, as we are holidayed out emotionally and financially for the rest of 2018.
Three trips in three months has taken a toll on us and MissGM, who needs to get back into a regular routine before she becomes a complete monster. And before we can contemplate the possibility of a second LittleGM.
Cheers!
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Always enjoy your TR and marvel at little Miss GM when I have friends that won’t even go out at night because it upsets the toddlers routine. Thank you
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