Ten years ago....

Ten years ago Matt and I travelled to Singapore for the first time on our way to a five month trip around Europe with Tam and Andy. We stopped here for three days. At Christmas time Matt rummaged through our storage boxes at Mundy's Storage Haven (thanks Mum & Dad) and found me my diary of the trip. In those three days back in 2000 we took in Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India, Sentosa Island, the Night Safari, The Botannical Gardens, visited Matt's work colleague in his lavish condo, ate at Hawkers Centres, witnessed a lion dance and dined at boat quay. Basically I think we "did" Singapore's tourists spots fairly comprehensively although we skipped Orchard Rd shopping it appears. Here are a few highlights from the diaries..

Saturday 12 Feb 2000

Excerpt"The flight left a little late. Matt was treated like a celebrity, being a silver frequent flyer. The flight attendants made a special point of greeting him by name and asking whether they could do anything for him - probably they were aware how unused to economy he is."

Those were the good old days weren't they Matt? When did you last fly Business??

Sunday 13 Feb 2000

Excerpt "Back at the hotel we had a swim before heading down to an outdoor food court for alate lunch. Fried rice & Egg $3.50, Duck & Rice $3.00, 640ml Tiger Beer $6.50 Pretty cheap food!" Ten years on and prices are the same... In fact Duck & rice is often $2.50.

"This evening we had dinner with Rod and Lisa Saffin and their 2 y.o. Michelle. Rod is an Andersen Consulting Manager from Melbourne, now in Singapore. We discovered Lisa is a Korovian so we all had plenty to talk about. After an Asian meal, we went back to their condo. The place is 'huge' and costs $6,000 per month. Lovely balcony and living area." Where is this place?? I want it! Sounds like an absolute bargain!!!

Monday 14 February 2000

Excerpt "We woke up this morning very pleased that everyone was going to work in Australia while we were planning a sightseeing day in Singapore." Some might say we were appreciating our opportunity... others would call it gloating!

About the night safari "It had a real jungle amosphere. We had run for the last train back to the city but made it in plenty of time. We had a lot better luck than the guy who dropped his mobile out of the side of the night safari tram."

Tuesday 15 February

Excerpt: "We then headed to a lovely Balinese dinner at Boat Quay by the river. It was a beautiful spot before we collected our bags from the YMCA - with our packs on our back we went to get the bus for the airport and we both commented that we looked like backpackers. We had lovely refreshing showers at the Qantas Club lounge and waited for our plane to be called. We left after being delayed by a passenger who had failed to board after checking in her bags and going for a swim in the pool." Hmmm.... I'm not sure you can call yourself real backpackers when you are having showers at the Qantas Club!

Overall our first impressions of Singapore were very favourable. Probably why we were happy to say yes to this adventure....

Pictures from the big trip in 2000 (not in Singapore)

We head to Vietnam tomorrow. But that's another story...