The Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden

After our outing to Changi Museum and Chapel, we got back to the Crowne Plaza for another welcome rest, and a good dinner at the Allora Restaurant; I had three courses: cauliflower soup, chicken and ice cream. I had never had cauliflower soup before, and found it delicious; Wendy said it is something she is going to make when we get home, it's easy enough to do!

Before we left home, Wendy had been worried about my complete lack of interest in food that could in any way be considered "fancy" - i.e., spicy, accompanied by sauces, etc. - in other words, anything that has been "messed or mucked about." Anything that is not very simple, and not and very, very plain does not feature high on what I like to eat, and she wondered how on earth I'd get on in Singapore, with such a diverse choice of food, including Indian, Chinese and other exotic cuisine - none of which appeals to me.  I'm definitely not a gourmet, and advertisements for holidays singing the praises of all the amazing dishes served up by famous chefs leave me cold. I am very happy if, like Paddington Bear, I can have a jam sandwich - that will do nicely! - and a Mars bar; I sha'n't starve. Of course I eat more at home, when I can choose to cook what I like, but for a few days on holiday, I am not going to get stressed out about anything like that.

And then, here we were in the Allora Restaurant, with three dishes on the menu that suited me perfectly; how lovely! Wendy was amazed - and relieved. 

We also had a couple of rides of the skytrains between terminals; they are so efficient, air conditioned, and as they are fully automated, no drivers to block the view if passengers want to stand up at the front, with a fine view through the wide windows! Wendy and I did, and it was another rail experience to add to our list. 

A view from Changi Airport

The train is on its way!

(Photographs taken as we were looking out from the front of the carriage)

As we had a little while to wait before our flight was called, we thought we would have another quick look at the Butterfly Garden - although, because it was night time, it would be the moths flying around, rather than butterflies - but we like moths, too! so that was alright. 

The Butterfly Garden at Night

And then it was time to make our way to the Departure Lounge...

Now comes a confession: I have no sense of direction, and I can get lost in and from the daftest places on the planet; I always joke that I was "left hiding behind the door when navigation bumps were handed out," so you definitely don't want to pick me as your navigator on the Dakar Rally. Although I try very hard to get memorable landmarks/places/shops in my head, I realised a long time ago that I may have many talents, but orienteering is definitely not one of them.

So there we were: a quick look round the Butterfly/Moth Garden, then back on to the main corridor, before finding our way to the Departure Lounge, when I saw the sign for a Ladies' Powder Room. "Ah!" I said, "I'll just pop in there and make sure I'm comfortable before we board the aircraft." 

"Good idea," said Wendy; she went first, whilst I stayed outside with our cabin bags. 

I followed her, and then went back to the exit to join Wendy. But, dear reader, I walked through the wrong exit. I went out of the door on the opposite side that I had gone in to the Ladies in the first place. That way, disaster lies. 

I looked for Wendy, whom I had left  outside the Butterfly Garden standing guard over our luggage, but oh, my goodness, there was no Wendy, and no Butterfly Garden to be seen. 

I did not panic. I realised I must have made a silly mistake, and asked a staff member how I could get back to the Butterfly Garden; that is when things really got complicated. They said I would have to go up an escalator to get there, but I knew I hadn't gone down any escalator in the first place, so that could not be right! A second lady said she would show me, but then led me all the way down to a kiosk with Airport Assistants on duty; by now, some 20 minutes or so had elapsed, and I knew Wendy would be getting concerned about me; and we had a plane to catch. 

At long last, I saw an area where I could go round the end of the central part of the corridor I'd been on, and then walk back, all the way to where I could at last see a sign for the Butterfly Garden - and where Wendy, bless her, was waiting patiently for me.

Whilst I had been on this totally unwanted adventure, Wendy had gone back to the Ladies, and asked the cleaner if she had seen me? "Oh, yes," this lady replied, and in classic B Western movie mode, said something like "She went thataway!" 

Wendy must have had some faith in my ability to find my way back, so she stayed put, keeping hold of our bags, and her sanity, until I reappeared. 

We agreed we had both had enough of the Butterfly Garden. If we go again, it will be a daylight visit, when we're not tired, not facing a flight to Brisbane, and we'll stick together. 

And the moral of the story is: Always take a mobile phone with you when you visit the Ladies' Loo!

 

 

Changi Chapel And Museum

Changi Chapel And Museum

On this inbound trip, we had time to visit the Changi Chapel and Museum, to learn more about the Allied Prisoners of War and civilians who were in interned after the Fall of Singapore. The Japanese military occupation lasted for three and a half years, from 1942 to 1945. 

Because the time was quite limited, we splashed out on a taxi there and back; it was interesting to note the fare for the taxi ordered by the Hotel was some 50% more expensive, than the cab ordered for us by a kind member of staff at the Changi Chapel to take us back, so we realised there must be a premium added on to bookings made for Crowne Plaza Hotel guests. We didn't really mind because we needed to get there and back quickly and a taxi was the best option, but we have noted this for future reference! 

The Museum and Chapel have been revamped and reopened in 2021; the stories and exhibits featured show the resilience and fortitude displayed by those internees. 

I knew there had been many British servicemen POWs, but had never realised quite how many Australian and New Zealand soldiers had also been imprisoned. 

The exhibition consists of 8 main sections, covering the prisoners' daily lives, responses to the many challenges they faced and finally their liberation.  We need to learn a great deal more about these times, and refresh our memories of history lessons from a long time ago, and then return to spend longer and really understand more of how life was during those turbulent years. 

A truly claustrophobic experience

We also visited the Chapel that was modelled on St George's Church, and was one of the many Churches built by the prisoners of war in Changi during their internment. A second Chapel was built at Kanchanaburi by POWs who were sent to work on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, and two more were built at Changi Gaol by returning prisoners of war. All these churches continued to provide comfort and hope to everyone who attended the services there. 

Although our visit was necessarily a brief one, Wendy and I were both highly impressed and very moved by our experience of what we had seen and learned so far. 

We have heard of some people being confused by the area where prisoners or war were interned and the State Prison in Changi which is the main correctional facility in Singapore for current offenders; this of course is off limits to tourists!  

 

Scenes From Changi Airport

Scenes From Changi Airport

The arrivals hall

And beautiful bauble decorations 

And then: fearsome beasts!

Impressive dragons to welcome you to the Airport

When Wendy had been in Changi on other visits, she had seen The Slide - "Singapore's Tallest Slide - Only at Changi Airport" - an installation to transport riders easily from one floor to others (I am not sure how many floors it covers!), and she had always wanted to ride it. 

We enquired at the Help Desk, and the assistant was truly helpful! There is usually a fee and ticketing involved, but she said she would get a ticket for Wendy; using her pass, she handed Wendy a card entitling her to 10 rides. Wendy was chuffed! 

However, on further examination, Wendy was rather disappointed to see the slide was not an open one anymore, but was completely covered over, turning it into a tube. As a result, Wendy was not keen any longer to sample the delights of a swift descent, and so we left it at that. We still very much appreciated the kindness of that very helpful lady.

Perhaps The Slide is now a little bit too enclosed for comfort?!

A whole new meaning of "taking the tube?"

Changi has many sculptures and installations. Here are a few to enjoy:

I usually love dragonflies - but one this large?

Wendy: Underneath the Arches

A cooling pool and terraces

Singapore

SINGAPORE 

We had had two stays in Singapore on this trip: the first, when we arrived on the flight from London, and reserved a room at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel. After 13 hours on the plane - even with a tail wind! - this was a really good idea. 

Getting off the plane, collecting the luggage and then a short walk through to the Hotel entrance, was my idea of bliss! and it was lovely to have a proper bed to stretch out on and sleep in. 

Alex, fetching in flight socks!

It was also blessed with a delightful Italian restaurant, the Allora, that served Minestrone soup, and chicken; I was well served with something I liked to eat. 

The Allora Restaurant

We also love the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Cafe - which is not only for coffee and tea, but wonderful hot chocolate as well...

More cream on our noses than on our lips?

Wendy having a well-earned rest

Alex ready to fly

A lasting memory of The Crowne Plaza Hotel is the fearsome art work adorning the doors of the Ladies' and Gentlemen's cloakrooms: it was a tad disconcerting to push the doors open, protected by these forbidding images! Are they perhaps of Aztec or Incan origin?

If anyone recognises the characters they represent, please could they let me know

by making a comment on this blog? I would love to have an answer!

More Good Memories: Mount Coot-tha, And Changed Riverwalk Access

More Good Memories: - Mount Coot-tha,  And Changed Riverwalk Access

We made the most of the rest of our stay in Brisbane, visiting Mount Coot-Tha; it's not far from Brisbane, and is not all that high! but it does enjoy extensive views over the city. 

We also saw more of the "Bin Chickens" - also known as "Tip Turkeys" -  they are really unafraid of people, and fly up on to the tables, to see what food they can nick!

Keith also invited us to have dinner with him at the Boatshed, a well-known restaurant, with a feature two-metre long flame grill. 

It is part of the iconic Regatta Hotel, one of the most elegant establishments in Brisbane; built in 1874, it was established as a modest, single-storey building, with iron-laced verandahs, and over the years has witnessed some of Australia's most memorable moments in its history. It is home to legendary sporting achievements and one of the first feminist insurgencies; it has withstood 150 years of change, withstanding flood and fire, and is still a place where the folk in Brisbane meet and create memories. 

When we arrived at the hotel, finding parking was an interesting experience! but Wendy is never discouraged. She dropped Keith and me off by The Regatta, before driving off to find somewhere suitable (and legal!) to leave the car. 

It was a lovely venue, and the building was very atmospheric, but when we got there, the Boatshed Restaurant was fully booked, and we would have had to wait an hour or two for a table to be free. However, there was seating available in the bar dining area; the menu was good, so we settled down there, enjoying a great meal, and a good natter about all we had achieved with Keith's help. He is certainly a great gentleman to know, when you need to find out things that are hard to establish!

A wall of photographs from the Regatta Hotel's past

Wendy and I were also treated to a wonderful cream tea in the Keri Craig Fashion Emporium; it, too, is situated in the Brisbane Arcade, and we enjoyed a champagne celebration easily comparable to those presented at The Ritz. 

Keri Craig is a fashion designer and model and, apart from providing memorable cream teas, her Emporium is a treasure trove of delicate clothes and beautiful ornaments, reminiscent of elegant items available at Fortnum and Mason. It is a place where we could easily get lost for hours in an imaginative shopping spree; a hidden gem.  

We also met up with Keith for morning snacks at Jimmy's on the Mall - when you know someone who has been brought up in the city, you will definitely find all the best places to go!

One evening, Wendy went on a solo stroll; the last time we were in Brisbane, in 2019, we had been able to take a river cruise from the Eagle Street Pier. The ferries were free, provided courtesy of the City of Brisbane, and she hoped the service was still available.

Sadly, it was not; but she did come back with some more pictures!

The Kitty Kat Ferry

A couple of random photographs of central Brisbane