Been another great travel day!
Arrived at the airport this morning for a flight to Singapore. A thunderstorm started just as I arrived, but it wasn't a bad one, so no significant delays.
When I got to the gate, they were already loading. When I presented my passport at the counter, they asked me step aside. Not to worry: I was bumped up to business class. Sweet!
Then, after the plane left the gate, the bad news from the cockpit: "We're number 10 for takeoff." Oh well, another 30 minutes to enjoy my big roomy seat. Sweet!
Got to Singapore, eventually. Took the MRT to my hotel, the Merchant Court. On checking in, the receptionist uttered those five words I love to hear: "Your rate includes free Internet." Sweet!
Those Five Words I Love to Hear
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Enjoy Singapore!
Where did the day go. Time really flies when you're just wandering around. Started off heading to Collier Quay to close my HSBC account, but realized when I got there I didn't bring my passport, so did that later. On the way, came across a small restaurant called "My Blood Type". Supposedly, they can tailor a menu to you based on your blood type. Okay. Frankly, the cakes at Cedele next door looked much more appetizing.
Went to Vivo City. Talked to the leasing agent about it while it was under construction. They suggested that it would rival Siam Paragon, but it's nothing like that. Pretty ordinary, but it is on the waterfront, so has some restaurants with a nice view - of the big casino being constructed on the Sentosa. There's a Food Republic on top, which is a very nice food court concept. Not a place for the indecisive. Outside that on the roof is a big 'puddle' where people are welcome to take of their shoes and cool their feet! The mall is also where you can catch a monorail to Sentosa (S$3).
There's a lot of construction going on all over Singapore - The two casinos, the circle line, Ion at Orchard, and several major road works. Reminds me of Bangkok in the early 90's.
Will try to get to the Flier in the morning.
Thnaks for the update. It's been several years since I was in Singapore. It sounds like there are lots of changes.
Go back when the new Marina casino project is done. It will be either fantastic, or amazingly ugly. The project model at the Flier makes me think it might be the latter.
Went to the airport early to take a good look around Terminal 3. It's amazing, what Suvarnabhumi aimed for, but missed. The new Crowne Plaza is hard to describe. You have to see it for yourself.
Almost forgot: There's a new bar in Clarke Quay called "The Clinic" where the chairs are gold spray-painted wheelchairs, or hospital beds, and the lights are old operating room lamps.
Clarke Quay is all food and drink now. No little curio shops left.
I saw The Clinic on T.V. a while back. I think it was Anthony Bourdain who went there?
Looked interesting.
Ion Orchard will be opening in July. The construction at both casinos are going at full speed. The Marina project will be opened in stages from end of this year. The Sentosa project will be opened in 2010. Hopefully Universal Studios will be opening at the same time.