Saturday 16 November 2013

Day 11 (14/Nov/2013) Goodbye Singapore Goodbye Saigon

Goodbye Singapore.

This morning we were super excited about going back home (back to reality ... not so much).

Checking out of the Grand Park Orchard hotel was the first step.

home time !
Back we went to Changi Airport where I promised Cat she would be re-united with a McDonalds Banana Pie one last time.



As it turned out, I lied.
We found out McDonalds is located on level 1 whilst we only had access to level 3 & 4.
She held it against me for a while and I'm sure it is something she will not let down for a long time.

For breakfast I was hoping to encounter some Singapore Chilli Crab but was not so lucky.

Soya Bean drink
Prawn fried rice
Jellyfish and lettuce ... great combination
Siu Long Bao dumplings .... soup filled mmm.
Pan fried pork dumplings
Half duck fried

Durian !!
Goodbye Changi Airport
We boarded the plane and took our seats.

The unmistakable sound of Australian English entered our ear canals.
For the entire trip, recognising English immediately triggered us to eavesdrop.
Hearing Singlish doesn't count as sometimes we don't understand them and they don't understand us.
In this instance we wished we couldn't understand.

Behind us were 5 old Aussie ladies, well ... more like a flock of babbling Geese.
They were having the stupidest and most naive conversation that we just couldn't unhear.
One sounded like Big Bird from Sesame Street (Yes Big Bird is male)
Another... Deb from Volkswagon Penrith (Google the radio ads, actually do yourself a favour and don't).

"So Beautiful..."
"So Gorgeous ..."
"So Amazing ..."
"So Lovely ... "

Bad Karma struck as takeoff was delayed due to a Military exercise.
GAH !
15 minutes later and we're off !
Rejoice came to our ears when the sound of the jet engines muffled their talking.





Back to the familiarity of Saigon.
Thousands of buzzing death defying mopeds, scooters, bicycles, cars, taxis, trucks & buses.
Billboards, Bright neon lights and glowing signage on almost every building.
Endless roadside coffee shops, banks and restaurants.
People, people, people everywhere !!!
It almost felt like we were back home after our time in Singapore.


We had about 2 hours before we needed to board our flight back to Sydney.
How else to spend this time but get stuck into a favourite meal then buy some more watches.

Boum Thit Nuong
Banh Mi Thit Ga Nuong
Grilled Tiger Prawns
Two thumbs up satisfied
MMM one last chance to enjoy the undeniably wonderful Vietnamese dessert.

Ca Phe Sua Da
Homemade Vietnamese Creme Caramel & Yoghurt




Ben Thanh Market

Peak hour traffic was atrocious.
Sitting in traffic,we just couldn't help but worry that we could be in strife time wise.


We made to it back to the Airport with plenty of time to spare :)

Home was another step closer.
Just another 8 hour flight to go.


Tasty Lipton Iced Tea whilst waiting to board.
Three security checkpoints later and we are up in the sky !

Goodnight and goodbye Saigon !
And that's the end of our 2013 Holiday.
Thank God for this blog which will serve as a reminder of what we did and what we ate.
Already, my memory has failed me on some of the things we did only a week ago.

Of the many highs ... some of the things that will definitely stick in our minds will be:

  • Marina Bay Sands Resort (Singapore)
  • Lamborghini Ultimate Drive @ Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)
  • Banana Pie @ McDonalds (Singapore)
  • Low expectation and highly rewarding dinner @ EON 51 Dinner (Vietnam)
  • Vanilla Royal Pudding @ Paris Baguette (Vietnam)
  • Lobster risotto sprinkled with black truffle @ Stellar (Singapore)
  • Fried King Prawns in garlic and chilli @ Tan Hai Van (Vietnam)
  • Fresh Soya Bean drink @ Hawker Food Centres (Singapore)

Saigon, see you again soon definately !
Singapore, nice to re-discover you.

Friday 15 November 2013

Day 10 (13/Nov/2013) Last day of play

Today was our last full day in Singapore, how else would we begin but with Breakfast buffet at the hotel.






Then we began raiding more shopping malls starting with The Centrepoint.


Then Orchard Plaza, then Orchard Central


We stopped into try this cafe chain that was everywhere.

Kaya Balls ... bite size warm and sweet
Icecream toast ... yum !
Down to the last shopping mall of Orchard Rd we wanted to visit; Plaza Singapura.


You guessed it, other than some small knick knacks we left majorly empty handed.

Onward to Clarke Quay via taxi.

random building
We envisaged Clarke Quay being like Darling Harbour.
We knew we were there at the wrong time of the day, as this place is all happening and buzzing with bars and restaurant at night.

1pm ... nothing open and not a soul in sight





More sight seeing time, this time we caught a taxi to the Merlion Park at One Fullerton.








With no Taxis available we walked over to The Fullerton Hotel to have a look.

Koi at The Fullerton Hotel

Back to ION orchard for lunch at TWG Tea.











Small but delicious beef



Foie Gras magic
The girl loves her tea
After ION Orchard, we returned to Wisma Atria for another Lacoste and The Paragon to buy another suitcase and my watch box.

The question of what to eat for dinner was lingering.
Not wanting anymore Chicken rice or Nasi Padang we opted for an Italian restaurant that caught our eye earlier at One Fullerton.

Forlino




Octopus Carpaccio

Seafood Fritters

Crispy goodness
Cat couldn't resist the special white truffle menu.

Crab risotto with table-side shaved white truffle

white truffle ... $15 per gram lol
Sea scallop with shaved white truffle

 Braised Beef Cheek


Melt in your mouth but so so overly rich

After our satisfying dinner we walked back down to One Fullerton to view the light show of the Marina Bay Sands.

Even though totally full from dinner, we almost stopped into another restaurant called Palm Beach.
Cat has been giving me shit since The Old Airport Rd Food Centre for not eating Singapore Chilli crab.
She dared me to give it a try.
I just couldn't do it, I couldn't fit anymore in.
I'm sure I'm not missing out ... maybe :S








Goodnight Singapore ! Hello again Saigon !