Singapore and Home

It is early Monday morning 22 Aug and time to finalise this journal's coverage of the first phase of our travels. Julie-Anne and young Harry picked us up at the airport just after 7.00 am yesterday morning. We arrived home to find the house aired, the shopping done, and the lawns mowed. Some home made soup and a brew was perfect..thanks J-A. We were both tired as neither of us got any sleep on the 7.5 hour flight from Singapore. One could feel the body and mind switching off and sleep came easily..trouble with that was that we could not sleep last night! But back to Singapore...

Thu, 18 Aug
Having left London just after 10.00 pm on the 16th and arriving in Singapore just after 5.00pm on the 17th is a strange way to spend 12 hours! The 7hr difference confuses the situation. It was an easy decision to call up room service at the club and leave Singapore until tomorrow.
Breakfast in the 'Wheelhouse' by the pool got us started and fueled up for our assault on Orchard Rd, the shopping mecca of the island. Regrettably it rained and the humidity soared. The best relief was the air conditioned comfort of the shops. No matter how hard they try there is a sameness about the quality stores with each of them having identical cosmetic, designer clothing, jewellery and liquor offerings. The fun really starts in places like Sim Lim Tower or Lucky Sam's where quite aggressive enterprises selling cameras, sound systems, general electrical goods or offering tailoring services, tout for business
The 'Chuchill Room' for dinner at the Tanglin Club tonight. We dressed up for dinner as seemed fitting for such an occasion. The food was excellent in its preparation and presentation. Pate Foi de Gras followed by a lamb dish for me and beef and veal for Donna and a desert involving sorbet and ice cream in a toffee cage satisfied the soul. We followed a French chablis with a great St Emilion Grand Cru, Chateau Ballestard La Torelle 1993...talk about God in velvet trousers!!

Fri, 19 Aug
Donna wanted to follow up on some shopping ideas she saw yesterday so it was back to Orchard Rd. Lunch at Raffles and what a splendid hotel this is. The main foyer evokes a sense of colonialism that undoubtedly sat well with the many expatriates who sought refreshment and inspiration over the years.The doorman is a corpulent Indian fellow dressed magnificently in a white flowing outfit set off with a crimson sash and turban. There was no doubt who ruled the driveway and front door. We climbed the stairs to the 'Long Bar' and enjoyed the traditional Singapore Sling and peanuts. It's amazing how quickly one adjusts to throwing the peanut shells on the floor! I think it is also easy to become mesmerised by the swaying movement of the ingeniously driven fans on the ceiling.
Down now to Clifford Pier where we boarded the 'Cheng Ho' for high tea as we cruised Singapore Harbour. The boat is a replica of the type used by Chinese explorers. It is more like a pagoda than a boat but is presumably very seaworthy.
I have been keen to find a pair of noise cancelling earphones so, as recommended, we headed for Sim Lim Tower, reputedly 'the go' for electronic and camera gear.It was now peak hour and no taxis were available for love nor money. Dressed in pretty scruffy clothes at this stage we cheekily stood in the taxi line at the 5 star Fullerton Hotel. This building was the General Post Office during the war and its architectural style would not have been out of place in London or Paris. In the event we got a cab and the earphones and eventually got back to the club around 8.00pm.A modest room service meal was enough.

Sat,20 Aug
Really starting to feel the pinch and we decide to sleep in and generally relax until we need to clear the room at mid-day. Lunch followed by a short walk and we retired to the Reading Room and dozed just like half the other people. We visited the Changi Chapel and Museum on the way to the airport. Very moving, particularly when we began identifying people we knew from the roll. I expected to see more Australian content however, Australian visitors have certainly left their mark with notes and small floral arrangements.
Had a surprise meeting with a Portsea classmate at the Qantas Club before boarding for the haul home.
It's now time to put up the pen until our next sortie beginning in April next year. The plane is booked and the rental arrangement for the house in Caunes-Minervois completed. If time flies as quickly as it has done over the past 5 weeks we will be off in next to no time.