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.