Marina Bay Complex, Singapore

From the Lavender MRT station (a few steps away from our hotel), it is simply a couple of stops away to the Marina Bay complex. We were not deterred by the scorching sun and the high levels of humidity, we were ready with our bottled drinking water, our bimpo (hand towels) and of course our cellphone to capture snapshots to store in our memory warehouse.

No visit to Singapore is complete without soaking in the warm ambiance of the Marina Bay complex. There are several attractions all within walking distance. The imposing Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino, with a shopping mall and convention hall. The lotus flower shaped ArtScience Museum with rainwater flowing through its bowl shaped roof into a reflecting pool at the lowest level of the building. 

A striking landmark, the Helix is a pedestrian bridge that connects Marina Centre with Marina South. The Singapore Flyer is one of the largest observation wheels (ferris wheel) in the world.  Across the Singapore river, there is a panoramic view of the Singapore business district with the Merlion and the Fullerton Hotel, taking central stage. 

panorama feature of my iPhone camera: business district

Background of tall skycrapers and the Fullerton Hotel

Lotus flower shaped ArtScience Museum

Merlion

Marina Bay Sands hotel 

Helix bridge and the Singapore Flyer

Singapore river boat tour passing under the Helix bridge

peek a boo Merlion

ArtScience Museum fountain

Helix Bridge, a pedestrian bridge inspired by the geometric arrangement of DNA

The Fullerton Hotel

Me drinking bottled water to avoid fainting from dehydration LOL

Kampong Glam, Singapore

Our hotel in Singapore was located in the Kampong Glam area. Named after the Gelam tree, it is the Muslim district of Singapore. A melting pot of vibrant cultures where 19th century shop houses were turned into specialty stores selling spices, textiles and casual dining restaurants offering halal Malay cuisine. In 1989, Kampong Glam was declared a conservation area and historic part of town like Little India and Chinatown. 

The famous landmark in his area is the imposing golden dome Sultan Mosque. Located in Muscat Road, it is an active place of worship named after Sultan Hussain Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore. It was originally built in 1924, rebuilt in 1932 and declared a national monument in 1975. Its onion shaped dome is topped with a crescent moon and star finials. During the hop on hop off tour, the audio guide said that the bases are lined with glass bottle ends which were donated by Singaporean Muslims who wanted to contribute in the construction of the mosque. This is known as an act of sadaqah jariya - a good deed for which the doer will receive continuous bounties even after death.

This is the side entrance to the mosque but since we were not 
appropriately dressed and it was a Friday, we decided not to enter.

It should be mentioned that Singapore (much like the Philippines before we were conquered by the Spanish) was first ruled by Islamic empires. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, Singapore was under the Malacca sultanate and then the Johor sultanate. Since Singapore has three ethnic groups (the Chinese, the Malays and the Indians), you can see mosques in several parts of the town.

Masjid Malabar Mosque on Victoria Street

One to two blocks away from the Sultan Mosque is hotel V Lavender on Jellicoe Road where we stayed. Convenient location with a MRT station below, some restaurants, local shops and a grocery store within walking distance.

Life pondering question at the dental clinic

First of all, I had no idea that getting a root canal (well in this country) means several sessions at the dental clinic. The first consultation was like a refresher course with basically the dentist telling me what the whole process entails. The succeeding sessions were all about me being lock jawed with my mouth open for about 45 minutes to an hour as the dentist drilled, poked, cleaned the deep recesses of my teeth. Both root canals are done but I still have two teeth extractions and setting of dental crowns to go. I'm taking a month long break before I can have these dental procedures done. 

It was my first time at this dental clinic so the female dentist probably to break the ice asked me about myself. Actually, she asked if I was alone and if I would have to drive myself home. I told her no, my husband is with me, he's out window shopping while I subjected myself to two root canals. 

To my surprise, when she found out that I had no children, she asked me point blank if we ever considered adopting a child. My answer is no, never entered my mind. My usual answer is that we were already in our 40s when we got married. Then when pressed that some women nowadays give birth even in their 40s, I go with my standard "well.we.did.try.to.conceive.but.after.years.of.trying.we. have.learned.to.accept.our.situation" reply.

This is the first time, anyone actually mentioned the adoption option. Frankly, as I told her, it never entered my mind. So after the session, over an early dinner at some Chinese restaurant where I ate using the right side of my mouth, I asked D if adoption ever entered his mind. He was dumbfounded and almost choked on his spinach seafood soup that I would just blurt out this life pondering question. I narrated that it was the dentist who asked me. His answer: She is too nosy and should mind her own business. 

Frankly, unlike the hubby, I didn't take offense with her line of questioning because at this stage of my life, I am in a much better place when it comes to being a childless married couple. I can't emphasize enough that we are fine and have accepted it wholeheartedly. 

But as D had not yet answered the question, I prodded him more. His reply: No, not really. Hmm not a definitive and explicit NO. So this didn't sit well with me. LOL I kept pressing him as we ate Yang Chow fried rice and fish fillet with tausi sauce. Probably to stop me from badgering him incessantly, he told me I should not let anyone, lest of all a dentist ever dictate or question our life decisions.

Point taken, I rest my case, your Honor!

Mount Faber, Singapore

Mount Faber has always been a favorite sanctuary for my sister and me. Whenever there was anything troubling us, we would take the cable car and go up there to be surrounded by peace and quiet in the lush forested park. Actually it can also be reached through well maintained walking trails but our preferred mode of transportation has always been the reliable cable cars. 

Formerly known as Telok Blangah hill, Mount Faber is one the oldest parks in Singapore. It covers almost 56 hectares with stunning panoramic views of  the southwestern part of the country and its surrounding islands. It is said that you can even see the nearby archipelago of Indonesia. But I wouldn't know where to look. 

We were still soaking wet from the earlier heavy downpour at Sentosa and were already a bit hungry. A light snack at the Arbora restaurant refreshed us as we waited for the sun to set, just basking in the serenity and the humidity as we were 100 meters above sea level.

Gorgeous view of the sun set as seen from the cable car

cabin, heading back to Harbourfront Mall from Mt. Faber

Fort Siloso, Sentosa Singapore

There are several ways to get to Sentosa, the island resort off the southern coast of Singapore. By land, you can drive using your own car, or take the monorail (Sentosa express), or by public bus. 

By air, you can take the scenic cable car.  We are big fans of cable cars, so we booked the Mount Faber + Sentosa line (price is 35.00 Singapore dollars) and boarded from the Harbourfront Mall station. In Sentosa there are several attractions, dining options as well as hotel accommodations. It is a self contained island full of fun activities and adventures that cater to people of all ages.

But for two 50 year olds, activities and adventures that require climbing or hiking are no longer our cup of tea. The humidity levels at an island surrounded by water are way too high. It hits you right away after alighting from the cable car which isn't airconditioned, by the way. But the view from the cable car is gorgeous so I didn't mind the beads of sweat pooling on my forehead and racing down my back like some cascading waterfall.

From the main cable car, we transferred to the Sentosa line. It is a smaller cable car which connects to three stations within Sentosa Island: Merlion - Imbiah Lookout  - Siloso Point. There is a replica of the Merlion on Sentosa which we have seen already many times. So we skipped it. The Imbiah Lookout is best for nature lovers as there are several hiking trails. Oh huh no, thank you! 

Siloso Point caught our attention as it was the entry point to Fort Siloso, Singapore's 74th National Monument. There is a 11 storey Skywalk trail leading to the Fort. Don't worry, there is an elevator to get up. The Skywalk is made of steel and nestled among treetops with a fantastic view of Sentosa island. FREE Entry: Fort Siloso & Surrender Chambers. Open from 10am - 6pm (last entry at 5:30pm)

 

Fort Siloso Skywalk. Entry is free. Open from 9am - 10pm

The fort was built in the late 19th century. A period when Singapore was
an important trading port for the British so Fort Siloso served as protection
against sea invasion.

Once you enter Fort Siloso from the Skywalk, there are two walking trails: The Heritage Trail and the Gun Trail. As we were heading towards the heritage trail, there was a heavy downpour so we sought shelter under a flimsy waiting shed. Soon enough we were soaking wet even though we had umbrellas and wore ponchos. The torrential rains lasted for almost 10 -15 minutes. Then, we quickly made our way to the Fort Siloso Museum and Surrender Chambers, passing through a small tunnel.

Yes that is a real peacock! There were 4 of them just strutting their stuff.

Fort Siloso museum

Surrender Chambers immersive show where light, sound and video 
effects relive some of the momentous events during WW 2

The guns of Fort Siloso were used by the British army during World War II when Japanese troops invaded Singapore.

It rained heavily again as we were returning to the Skywalk. Took shelter yet again under the same flimsy waiting shed and got even more wet. LOL Terrible, really but we just charged it to experience and still laugh about our Fort Siloso '(mis)adventure'.