SINGAPORE WITH MY MUM

a little overview of my trip to Singapore for my 50th
The famous Merlion that holds pride of place in Singapore
This is Singapore Week and Monday's post was all about seeing Singapore with my lovely (super fit) husband. It was quite a contrast to my last trip there, five years ago. That visit was a birthday present from my lovely Mum and we did it in style - with all the mod-cons! Here's what I wrote about it a while back....

ORCHARD ROAD SHOPPING

When we booked our trip we made sure our hotel was right in the centre of things and Orchard Road with all its shopping seemed to be the best choice - little did we know that almost every shop within walking distance stocked designer clothes, shoes and handbags that left us feeling a little lightheaded when we checked the price tags! Still we managed to find some lovely little shops and cafes in between to spend our tourist dollars on. You can't come home empty handed!

a little shopping in Singapore's Orchard Road
In the shopping district of Orchard Road - The Ion and me with some 'friends'

BOTANIC GARDENS

We had a little wander through the Botanic Gardens - my mum is a lover of orchids and all those beautiful, hard to grow flowers, so she was in her element. The steamy climate certainly does wonders for these plants and everywhere plants were thriving. The "Gardens By The Bay" hadn't been finished when we were there (that's why they were top of my list when I went back this time!)

Singapore's Botanical Gardens
My mum wandering through the gardens and a few of the beautiful orchids that grew everywhere

MARINA SANDS

No visitor to Singapore could miss the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as it stands out from the skyline when you look across the city. We took an evening riverboat cruise and the lit up Marina Sands stood out like a beacon. As a special treat, Mum took me to the restaurant at the very top (next to the infinity swimming pool!) and then we took in the views after dinner. 

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel at night and the view from the balcony at the top the next day

SENTOSA ISLAND

Visiting Sentosa Island with my 70 year old Mum was very relaxing. We took a package deal including a ride over in a cable car, a visit to the museum, a visit to the aquarium/dolphins and we finished off with the Songs of the Sea show where there is a story projected onto water spray above a little pretend village on stilts over the sea. It was sensational and finished with a lovely fireworks display - what more could we ask for?

a trip over to Sentosa Island and a viewing of Songs of the Sea
Me sitting in the cable car as we headed over to Sentosa and an image from Songs of the Sea

So there you have my brief-ish travelogue of Singapore - so much to see and do and I could go again and find even more interesting sights to see. I'll be going back one day and taking my husband with me so I see a different side of things - he's a do-er and not a shopper so he might make me more adventurous! (Famous last words weren't they? I certainly burned through a few more calories going with him than I did with my Mum!)


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Windback Wednesday ~ www.crestingthehill.com.au


32 comments

  1. It's an unusual place. I had to go for work some years ago and spent a few extra days.
    Carol

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    1. It has a nice mix of things to do and places to see.

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  2. I've never been. It's sort of been off my radar. You've just brought it into focus! :)

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    1. It's a nice, clean, beautifully designed city Diane - one of Asia's best I think.

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  3. What a great opportunity to travel and discover with your mum. Kudos to you!

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    1. Thanks Mona - I think we both enjoyed spending time together somewhere special.

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  4. Your pictures and your post having me wanting to visit Singapore. I've never been, but it is on my list.

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    1. Definitely worth putting on the list Mary - it's a gorgeous city.

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  5. Thanks for sharing your trip to Singapore. Must add it to the ever-growing bucket list! You and your mum both look lovely. ☺

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    1. Thank you for the lovely compliment Debbie - and yes you should add it to the bucket list without a doubt.

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  6. I've never thought of visiting Singapore. The tourist board should hire you we are all interested now! I'm pretty sure I would prefer traveling with you and your mother, I'm still tired thinking about all that walking you did with your husband.

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    1. I thought going with my husband would open new vistas for me Doreen - turns out I'm more of a shopper and eater than an explorer!

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  7. Wow! I can just imagine how absolutely lovely and relaxing the botanical gardens were. The entire trip seems like a dream. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. The gardens in Singapore have to be seen to be believed Lisa :)

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  8. I am so jealous that you got to go with you mom. I have parent envy. oh and also that you have a super fit husband.

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    1. My mum was at the other end of the fitness scale Beth - I think I hovered somewhere in between - too fast for her and too slow for my Bear Grylls husband!

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  9. Looks like you had a fab time Leanne. We've been to Singapore a couple of times and really enjoyed it. It's such a clean organised city that is easy to get around. I think the highlight for me was The Gardens at Marina Bay. They are amazing!

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    1. Those Gardens By The Bay are beautiful aren't they Kathy? The airconditioned domes made it even more gorgeous - somewhere cool and yet with all the tropical plants and flowers.

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  10. What a lovely memory you will always have - the trip with your Mum. I've never been to the Botanic Gardens, Leanne but everyone says they are gorgeous. I remember the last time we went we were on a cruise and it was so hot and humid - Mike got off the ship and walked straight back on! I also remember the first time there and we visited Raffles and I nearly fell off my chair when I realised how much as Singapore Sling was. Have a great week and start planning your next trip LOL:)

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    1. Yes, I've heard the ridiculous price of a Singapore Sling - made me glad I'm not a drinker! The bonus of Singapore is that you have the tropical heat but in a first world environment so it's a little more bearable. I hate being hot, sweaty AND dirty!

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  11. What a fabulous experience!!
    It reminds me of what we like to do too---in fact for Christmas my mom, stepmom, husband & i are going to Vegas together!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #lovinlife team

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    1. That sounds amazing Jodie - I love that both the mums get a treat - you'll all have a ball - and good on your husband for being part of it!

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  12. Next time I go to Singapore I need to check out Orchard Road and Sentosa, missed both last time x

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    1. Orchard Road is full of the most amazingly expensive shops Janet - The Ion building just goes on forever - it's very hard to find your way out and it gives a glimpse of how the other half lives!

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  13. Fabulous! There's so much to love about Singapore - especially the shopping!! :) #TeamLovinLife

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    1. You can't beat a great shopping experience can you Lyndall?

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  14. I went to Singapore years ago when my kids were little an my sister was living over there as an expat. I got a local perspective and while I did explore Orchard Road, Raffles and Clarke Quay ... I also saw Little India, Arab Street, Chinatown and other areas that I can't remember the names of. I never did get to Sentosa Island but I would like to if I ever go again. Looks like you had a fabulous time with your Mum. Love the photo's! :-) #TeamLovinLife

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    1. It sounds like you had a pretty well rounded time there Min - but it has changed so much - even in the last five years. I think they just keep knocking things down and rebuilding because there is so little land to build on!

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  15. I've only been to Singapore once - in 1997 - for a few days when I was living in Cambodia. It seemed so starkly different to where I was from (at the time). So glitzy! I recall Sentosa Island, Raffles and a day trip to Malaysia... There wasn't much shopping though as I was a poor volunteer in Cambodia back then! The trip was enough of a treat.

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    1. It is certainly a contrast to most of the rest of Asia Deborah - so clean and so safe. Very First World in comparison to its neighbours.

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  16. I was in Singapore in April with my son for his soccer tour. Let's just say I couldn't get past the stifling constantly wet heat. It was shocking! The "feels like" humidity factor had the temps at 47+ degrees some days. While I can do that type of temperature in Vegas with the dry heat, I just couldn't cope with Singapore. It was just too WET. Having said all that, it's a beautiful city. Beautifully kept, beautifully laid out and despite all the cement it is still surprisingly green.
    #TeamLovinLife

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    1. I think that sums it up perfectly Leanne - that humidity undid me when I went with my husband. It was better with Mum because we stuck to air-conditioning wherever possible. Walking outside for hours just drains you dry (or should I say 'wet'?)

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