Sunday = Sentosa Island

Sunday, November 20

Koz and I went to the Lutheran Church that I have gone to in Singapore. The people were so nice, and friendly, and excited to meet him.  They wanted us to stay for breakfast, but we wanted to get a start on the day, so we passed.

Our plan for the day was to go to Sentosa Island.  One of the things Koz wanted to do was to try McDonalds when he was here, so we walked to the closest McDonalds.  (If we would have missed this one, we could have gone to any of the other 15 McDonalds within a 5 minute walk from my apartment).  We both got Double Cheeseburgers, and decided they tasted just like McDonald's at home.  I also had a caramel Frappuccino which was shared by Brian :) 

We took a cable car from Singapore to Sentosa.  It's really cool to pass the Singapore ports and see all of the ships.  It is a quick 15 minute ride, but a cool view of the island.

We arrived on the island, and immediately went to the Luge.  Koz was really excited for this, so we knew it had to be the first stop... Please don't ask who won, I promised I would not mention the winners name in the blog! 

After the Luge, we walked to the beaches, and crossed the bridge that takes you to the most Southern Point of Continental Asia.  The bridge is really cool, and the views of the port are awesome.  Koz and I both really like Ports so we stood out there for a while looking at all of the ships.  There are a few observatory decks where you can see the ports as well as the island.  At this point it started raining, so we began our walk back to the "main land" of Sentosa.  Everything on Sentosa is spread out very far, so it took us a while to walk and take trams everywhere. 

We heard that the zip lines are really cool when it's raining, so we walked up a very large hill in the rain to get to the zip lines.... however they were closed for maintenance, so we walked back down.  Instead we took a chair lift up one of the hills. 

I wanted to see the Underwater World and Dolphin Show, so that was our next stop.  The dolphin show was fun.  The dolphins are Pink Dolphins, and they were the main attraction, but the sea lions were probably our favorite part.  They are really goofy, and very entertaining.  The underwater world had a shark feeding area, as well as a tank to touch sting rays and fish. There was a fish that would spit water at you.  There were Warning Signs posted for them, so we were somewhat prepared.  It's crazy how much water they will spit at you, as well as how direct it is.  It was really funny, and cool to see.  The sting rays will also splash you, and seem to like the attention.  The aquarium had sharks and sting ray, and huge fish, and was one of the coolest aquariums I have been too.

We walked around Universal Studios and the huge candy store, the Hard Rock, World Sentosa Caves, and saw a lot of the island.  We then took a bus back to Singapore.  We didn't want to take the cable cars because it was still raining and lightning outside.

We then took the MRT to La Pau Sat, which is a Hawker Center that is known for their satay.  We had Chicken, Beef, Duck and Prawns.  It is so good, and I knew it was something I wanted to do with Koz when he was here.  After dinner we walked to Garretts and got a bag of popcorn! 

All I can say is how thankful I am for Brian's sense of direction.  He can now get around Singapore better then I can, he is better as using the MRT, and I am following him around. 

Brian and his Frap!



View from the Cable Car 

On the Cable Car

 View from the Cable Car

Getting Ready to Luge

Luge

Walking Across the Bridge

Viewing the Port

One of the Ports

Crossing the Bridge back to the island

On the Chair Lift

Caves



Christmas in Sentosa

Soaked from walking around in the rain!

Underwater World - Huge Turtles

Pink Dolphins

In the aquarium!  Peace!

Sting Ray being fed



Little India and Chinatown

Saturday, November 19

Koz and I spent the day in Singapore going around to the different neighborhoods.

We started with lunch, and just bought a few different things to try and sample - Korean Cheese and Bacon Sausage, Chicken Satay, Beef Satay, Hot Dog breaded with potatoes.  It was quite the lunch!  We went to the MRT (the subway), and bought Koz an MRT card, so we wouldn't have to take taxi's everywhere.  It's so convenient, and pretty close to most of the things you want to do.

We then headed to Little India.  Koz doesn't like Indian food, so we didn't actually eat in Little India.  We did go to the Hawker Center to order a few drinks - Sugar Cane Juice and Coconut milk.  I drink the Sugar Cane juice at lunch often, but had never had Coconut milk, so it was fun trying something new for both of us. We walked around the Wet Market and it was fun to see all the different produce, meat and seafood.  I was surprised to see shark, and sting ray and so many other exotic types of sea food.  We walked on the streets, and just explored Little India that are still decorated for Depavali.  There are temples everywhere, and you can't wear your shoes inside, so there are literally sandals all over the sidewalks.  Little India is one of the most "cultured" areas in Singapore.  You don't feel like you are in Singapore at all.  It's great to be a subway stop away, and still get a totally different experience.

We then took the MRT to China Town.  China Town is not as "cultured" as Little India, but still really cool, and there is a lot to do.  We walked around China Town, did some window shopping, and then decided that we had to do Reflexology.  We went to a few places, and decided on one that was quiet, could take us both at the same time, and the price was right.  They are all over China Town, so it's not hard to find one.  We had to walk up a very dark, long set of steps until we reached the top.   We did 45 minutes of reflexology (foot massage), and 15 minutes of a neck and back massage. 

Koz's original reflexology man couldn't believe how big his feet were.  He kept calling him Big Foot, and laughing. He asked him what size his feet were, and was shocked when he said 11.  He ended up calling someone else in to work because that person would do a better job then the man that was there.  The whole experience was really funny, but typical of Singapore. 

Reflexology is really big in Chinese culture, and you can find them everywhere in China Town, for really inexpensive.  I had to talk Koz into the reflexology over a full body massage, and he definitely protested until it was over.  He also now agrees that reflexology is just as good or maybe even better then a full body massage.  It is extremely painful, but amazing all at the same time. 

After reflexology we went for dinner in China Town to a Chinese Seafood restaurant.  I ordered crocodile, and Koz ordered sting ray. It was really good, but we both liked the crocodile better.   It honestly tasted just liked Chicken.

After a long day, I decided I need to make a Starbucks run for myself..... guess who ordered something at the last minute and now loves Frappuccinos??!!  I placed my order, and then an order for Brian, and he loved them both.  Sometimes I wonder if he is the same person I started dating nearly a decade ago! 

We then went to Mary's apartment to hang out for a little while.  She had 2 friends who were passing by Singapore coming from an Indian wedding.  It was really cool hearing about their experience, and the extravagance that goes into an Indian wedding - 4 day party in Thailand, everything paid for even hotel.  My goal while I am here is to become friends with a single Indian girl! 

After hanging out at Mary's apartment, we went to a few bars in Clark Quay.  The first stop was for a Singapore Sling at a bar called Singapore Sling.  There was a great live band, and the Sling's were really good. We then went to Senor Taco for a margarita.  It was a really fun night, and great to be out in Clark Quay!

Lunch - Cheese Bacon Sausage

Hot Dog with Fried Potatoes

Wet Market in Little India

Little India Wet Market - Shark

Coconut Milk

Little India - Depavali Decorations

China Town

Walking up the dark steps for Reflexology

 

Singapore Sling - Merlion Handle

Singapore Sling with the Merlion Handle







Koz is here!

Thursday November 17 - Sunday November 20

Koz arrived in Singapore today!  He left Chicago on November 16, and arrived in Singapore at 11:55p.m on November 17.  I was waiting for him just outside of customs, and made a sign with his name on it.  I was watching where his bags were supposed to be, but never found him.  Before I know it, he is out of customs, 2 feet in front of me.  I was so excited to see him, and to finally have him in Singapore!

We took his bags back to my apartment, and then went for a short walk near my apartment on Orchard.  He was extremely tired, so it was a very short walk.

Friday November 18

We went to Starbucks in the morning to grab coffee and breakfast, and then I went to work and Koz walked around for the day.  We met up for lunch around noon, and we obviously had to make our first lunch together Sushi!  I then went back to work, and he continued exploring Orchard and all of the malls.  I think he was still in shock that Singapore is literally one large shopping mall.  Each mall has about 4 floors of basements, and anywhere from 4-12 floors above ground.  He mastered the exchanges under the streets, and really did a good job of making it around Orchard.  He took some funny pictures too that he was very excited about.

I met him back at the apartment after work. We took a cab to Boat Quay and walked around the river before dinner.  We then went to Indochine for dinner which is an Asia Fusion restaurant ofThai, Korean and Chinese.  We ordered prawns for an appetizer, I had scallops, and Koz had a sampler of fish, prawns and scallops.  We sat at dinner for a while talking and listening to the live music, and enjoyed the nice weather and view of the river.  For Singapore it was actually a very pleasant night, with little humidity.  After dinner we took a walk on the other side of the river to see the Fullterton hotel, and the rest of Boat Quay.

It was a really fun night, and just so nice to have a night out with Brian!

Lunch on Friday - we took this extremely long escalator to the 12th floor for Sushi!

Dinner at Indochine! 

Yes we had margaritas.... when Koz is around you have to order him his favorite drink.



Our view at dinner - The Singapore River and Boat Quay (pronounced Key)

We were trying to get the bridge and river in the background, but didn't work too well

The Fullterton hotel

Koz and all the crabs!