Wendy Celebrates Her Birthday

Wendy Celebrates Her Birthday

Wendy came over to us the night before her birthday - it had been a long day, because she had also been at work, but it was lovely she felt up to the drive, because it meant she could have a good night's sleep, and then be up bright and early on the 10th April, and enjoy every minute of her own special day.

We do like a bit of a fuss over birthdays - it's nice to do something special, and make an effort to let the birthday girl (or boy!) know they are loved and appreciated very much!

After breakfast, I then set to decorating the cake; I wrote a message on it in icing, placed candles all around the outer edge, and it looked very pretty when I'd finished! 

We had a light lunch, and finally came the moment to light the candles, and carry the cake through to the lounge, singing "Happy Birthday!" with great gusto. Wendy likes to blow out the candles with one breath; she has great lung capacity, and with one great intake of air, and then a steady blow, they were all done.

We all prefer Madeira or sponge cake, rather than fruit cake, and this one was absolutely delicious, with a buttercream and jam filling in the centre; we all tucked in and enjoyed it. Wendy opened her cards and presents, from Al and Dani, and Bob and me; she also received many other cards from dear friends who always send her greetings for her special day. 

A lovely, simple day, full of happy things and good wishes for Wendy, everyone wishing her many happy returns! 

She also has a few days away from work now, so she can really enjoy some time off and relax.

And for lessons in  relaxation, there could be no better teacher than Blackie; 

he really knows how to "chill"!

 

 

 

 

I Enjoy A Wonderful Birthday

 I Enjoy A Wonderful Birthday

I have been so busy, writing about our experiences in Australia, that I completely overlooked the two very happy birthday occasions celebrated by Wendy and me, on our return. 

My birthday came first, and what a great day I enjoyed, celebrating it with wonderful company: Bob and Wendy, a phone call from Al, and calls from dear friends in Australia, Germany, Austria  and America. Added to all these blessings, I received cards and e-mails from lovely people all over the world, wishing me well and a happy birthday. What a great day.

I got up nice and early, so I didn't have to rush to be ready to enjoy the day, and Wendy came over in good time to come with us to the Beefeater for lunch. First, though, I had a great time opening my presents; everything so thoughtfully chosen, and made and sent with love.  This little selection of photographs shows a perfect day:

A Birthday lunch at the Liberty Bell Beefeater

 Beautiful flowers from Bob, Al and Dani,, and Michael and Kathy:

 

 A trio of pictures of the beautiful bouquet of rainbow gypsophillia,

sent by Al and Dani (and the (very!!) cheeky birthday card!) 

and a bouquet from Bob:

  Tulips from Michael and Kathy 

(Michael is the only person allowed to call me "Auntie Alex...")

Back home, Wendy decorated a delicious birthday cake for me: 

(And she didn't have to warn the Fire Brigade in advance!)

The Birthday Girl:

 

What a  lovely day I've had!

 

 

 

In The Air - On Our Way Home

In The Air - On Our Way Home

Sailing by at 36,000 feet or so, back home. What a trip we have had, discovering what we needed to know about Uncle John in Brisbane, and then meeting up with dear friends in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. It's been an epic and memorable journey and one we have been so happy to have been able to make. We shall keep in touch with all the old and new friends we have made on this trip, but now it's time to wend our way home to England. I am happy wherever I hang my hat, as they say, and can settle reasonably well in whatever city or land in which I find myself; but then I am still reminded of my Grandma, quoting the old saying:

East, West - Home's Best!

Happy landings!

Poems Of Praise For The Pan Pacific

Poems Of Praise For The Pan Pacific:

We had such a brilliant time during this stay in Singapore, made especially enjoyable by every member of the Pan Pacific Hotel staff we met, so when we were asked if we would consider posting a review to say what we thought of it all, Wendy and I felt we could do a bit more than just write something to put on Trip Advisor, or any of the other on-line sites where you can say what you think of a particular venue. 

The whole atmosphere was conducive to creativity; we sat down, and the poetry just flowed! We hope our poems will give you a flavour of how it was for us - and encourage others enjoy everything the Pan Pacific Hotel has to offer.

THE PAN PACIFIC IS TERRIFIC

 

by

 

WENDY WILDE

 

The Pan Pacific is terrific – everything’s amazing

The building stands proud and tall

The wonderful staff give guests their all

So my reviews will be praising!

 

All the rooms are like a dream

But Pacific Club rooms are supreme

With every luxury and views for miles

The facilities bring guests delighted smiles.

 

With Amanda and Paul on reception downststairs

Their exemplary service shows how they care

And Sogu and Sharon on floor thirty-eight

The attention provided is more than just great.

 

So next time you’re in Singapore

You really could not ask for more

With this Hotel I’ll be specific –

Do stay at the Pan Pacific!

  

Wendy Wilde, 14/3/2024

A PAEAN TO THE PAN PACIFIC

 

(A Singaporean Sonnet)

 

The Pan Pacific Hotel warmly welcomes

Every guest who comes into its fold

The staff are all thoughtful and helpful –

Their attitude is one of pure gold.

Amanda and Paul, and Rex at The Edge;

Sharon and Sogu on floor thirty-eight,

With delicious cream teas, then the cocktail hours

With gentle jazz, an unmissable date!

 

What more could one ask from delightful surrounds

With everything ready and close by to hand?

Only a wish that we had much more time

To spend in this wonderful land.

For this beautiful place scores ten out of ten.

And we look forward to when we can come back again!

  

ALEXANDRA WILDE

14 March 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Supertree Grove At Night

Supertree Grove At Night

These man-made Supertrees are inspired by mature rainforest trees, and provide a home to a great array of plant life. Vertical panels are installed in the trunks of the trees, and are planted with species of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and flowering climbers, all of which do well in a tropical climate. 

Wendy and I have visited Supertree Grove during an earlier visit, and enjoyed the exhilarating music and light show that plays each night. On that occasion, we stayed on the ground, dwarfed by the Supertrees that reach up to 50 meters high; one day, we shall book tickets to the Observatory and experience them up close and personal, where we'll also have some spectacular views of Marina Bay. 

I am sure it will be a memorable experience, and it will be wonderful if we can come back to Singapore one day.

On this visit, as dusk was falling, I took another photograph of the Singapore Flyer, looking through the windows of the Hotel, and Sogu, the lovely chap in charge on Floor 38, took a photo of Mother and Daughter enjoying a glass of Champagne during the Happy Hour. This was followed by the Supertree Grove light shows at 7.45 and 8.45.

I know Supertree Grove is rather distant from the Hotel, but as it is in the centre 

of these pictures, hopefully they will give some idea of the changing light show:

 Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow

And now...! Because as shown  in the photographs of the illuminated Supertrees appear

as small dots in the middle distance, two pictures have been enhanced and enlarged 

to show everything in more detail:

Multi-coloured display and orange

And, in the words of Bugs Bunny from Loony Tunes cartoons:

"That's all, folks!"

The Singapore Flyer Structure: A Montage

The Singapore Flyer Structure: A Montage

This is a little selection of further photographs from our flight on the Singapore Flyer - a great experience!

In our capsule, climbing higher

A "bird's eye view" of passengers in the adjacent capsule!

...And showing the elegant structure of the flyer...

The lattice work and capsule

Nearly at the apex!

And panoramic views from the top

It must have taken a lot of engineering to work all this out!

The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer 

My first experience of a giant Ferris wheel was back in April 1968, in Vienna. I have never had much of a head for heights, so it was with some trepidation I went to the Prater, and had my first view of the Riesenrad.

Whilst I was dithering about whether or not I should buy a ticket, I got chatting to a lady and she said she enjoyed going on the wheel; she had not been on it for some time, so would be happy to join me, and keep me company! So, thus emboldened, I bought a ticket; my new friend bought her ticket, and as the next available car came around, we climbed aboard. 

I immediately realised the Viennese Riesenrad was nothing like the big wheels I'd seen in ordinary fairgrounds - the open ones, where you sit two abreast in seats, with legs dangling into thin air - this was enclosed, cosy, and felt very safe; and the views were spectacular!

I watched as we rose higher and higher, and enjoyed the changing panorama as we neared the apex, chatting away to the lovely lady who had given me confidence to go on the ride. Once we were over the top and started the descent, I was really delighted to have overcome my fear, and by the time we reached the ground, I had made a good friend, and we had exchanged addresses. 

Over the years, even though I was back to Durban, we kept in touch, writing regularly to each other. After I returned to England in 1970, I was also able to visit her in Vienna, and meet all her family - a very happy reunion! and I still correspond with her wider family, and have visited them in Vienna as well. 

Since then, I've also enjoyed various "flights" on the London Eye - that's a great experience, too, and we have booked trips both during the day and at night. It's a completely different experience when it's dark, a wonderful time to enjoys the changing nights scenes, looking over London and up and down the Thames, watching all the lights twinkling on the river and all the buildings lit up; so when Wendy said we should take a trip on the Singapore Flyer, I was very keen to go.

Wendy has enjoyed several trips on the Singapore Flyer, and soon organised the tickets for us. There are information halls which provide a history of the creation of the Singapore Flyer, and we took a little time to read about it, but we were more interested in enjoying the actual flight! and I hope the following photographs will give my readers some idea of what we saw during our journey. As I expected, the views were superb; and on any occasion when I enjoy a ride on a giant wheel, I am reminded of my friend all those years ago in Vienna, who first gave me the confidence to step aboard!

Lush vegetation around the Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer Information Halls

Our capsule approacheth!

\

Our capsule chariot is nearly here...

And we are up, up and away - on our way!

Part of the Singaporean Grande Prix track

A bird's eye view of a Singapore Flyer capsule

And now we can have the same view as those birds!

Wendy and Alexandra enjoying the ride

Alexandra with a view of the Pan Pacific Hotel