A Singaporean Long Weekend

[rbjhan]

This was actually the Christmas long weekend 2018, yeah another of my delayed TRs

Fairly straight forward trip,
MEL - SIN return on SQ
3 nights in Conrad Centennial.

Wondering about in Singapore...more on that later.

 

[rbjhan]

I had (rightly) suspected the SilverKris Lounge in MEL would be quite underwhelming, so visited Plaza Premium first.


Unfortunaly the Plaza Premium closes at 11pm, and my flight departed past midnight...relocated to SilverKris reluctantly. It was packed to the rafters... no pictures I'm afraid.

 

[AIRwin]

SIN or UFO?

 

[rbjhan]

12K on the old A380.

Must confess I'm not a great fan of the seat.
Yes it's wide, but maybe a bit too much? I mean Singaporeans are quite slim in general, why do they need such width?!
Otoh you have this tiny place for your feet...luckily I'm a shoe size 36...


Then of course the bed flipping and sleep diagonally...


11K has more space but no window...

 

[rbjhan]

SIN or UFO?

ha ha whichever you like

 

[rbjhan]

Only one meal service on the overnight flight. I chose to eat the BOC roast duck as breakfast.
It was okay I guess...


The so very strange amenity kit...

 

[rbjhan]

Landed before 6am. I had written to the hotel to request an early check in, but thought might be a good idea to fresh up a bit first.

The Haven is an arrival lounge T3 landside, quite handy.

 

[rbjhan]

Conrad Centennial
Lobby






Apparently it was a bay view room, more like Pan Pacific view if you ask me....


Look, Marina Bay! Only needed a 45mm lens to see it.


Conclusion: I like the location and breakfast was seriously good. But if you are after the view, I'd say Ritz Carlton can't be beat. Swissotel if on a lower budget.

 

[rbjhan]

Went out to lunch in the Marina Square shopping centre nearby.
Clearly I love roast duck


That was 10 times better than the SQ version btw.

 

[rbjhan]

Was thinking of leaving the aircon for a minute, quickly changed my mind after stepping out in the heat...
Instead I went to the shops @Marina Bays Sands.


The lobby was surely impressive however it also felt like a mall, not sure I want to stay there...

 

[rbjhan]

Finally after sunset I had the courage to venture outside...


Gardens by the bay, people mountain people sea.


Queue for taxi was miles long, so I walked all the way back.



End of Day 1.

 

[rbjhan]

Day 2
Started with a trip to Chinatown, again I just couldn't stay in the open for long, so quickly retreated to the hotel with some takeaway food.
Guess what was it?

 

[rbjhan]

Off to Orchard Road in the afternoon, time for some window shopping.

Ion Orchard


Then to the famous chatterbox for their chicken rice. At about 10 times the price compared to what you can get in a hawker center, not sure it was good value...

 

[rbjhan]

Looking through the pictures I realised most of them were taken in the evenings...
Me and Singapore weather, not compatible at all.

The Fullerton Hotel. Thought about this one before deciding on the Conrad, wise decision I think - this one is a fairly long walk from nearest metro station.


Can't be a Singapore holiday without the Merlion！


Light show from Marina Bay Sands.

 

[AIRwin]

The Fullerton Hotel. Thought about this one before deciding on the Conrad, wise decision I think - this one is a fairly long walk from nearest metro station.

It's not that far from Raffles Place station?

 

[rbjhan]

It's not that far from Raffles Place station?

Define not that far?
In Singapore weather I don't want to spend any minute outside basically

 

[AIRwin]

Define not that far?
In Singapore weather I don't want to spend any minute outside basically

I thought there is a direct underground passage but perhaps I'm thinking of the one that connects the hotel with the Merlion...

 

[rbjhan]

I thought there is a direct underground passage but perhaps I'm thinking of the one that connects the hotel with the Merlion...

Dunno.
I walked from station to the hotel and that was enough (may or may not be the most direct route though). Can't imagine doing it a few times each day. From Promenade to Conrad it's definitely much quicker.

 

[AIRwin]

Guess what was it?
View attachment 189841

Frog legs? Not that I've tried it...

 

[rbjhan]

Frog legs? Not that I've tried it...

Probably my favourite this trip, that and the roast duck