The Duck Tour

The Duck Tour

Oh, this was fun! and informative, and splashy - although I didn't get wet as the duck left the tarmac and headed on to the water...!

Heading for the Duck tour

Our Duck awaits!

Welcome Aboard!

Safety notice... and the reminder, "No Yawning Allowed!"

From the Driver's seat

Wendy had already told me about the previous tour she had been on, and how interesting it had been - every tour is a bit different; obviously, the basic information is the same, but each guide has a personal script to follow, and emphasises the parts that interest him or her the most. On a previous visit, Wendy has also enjoyed a City Tour by bus; for now, we were contented with this delightful DUCK!

Our guide gave her passengers a comprehensive commentary, in English and Mandarin; she had a good understanding of the history of Singapore, but even more knowledge about the Bay and how it provides drinking water for the City State. Out on the road, our driver/captain steered the craft past interesting areas flanking the Bay:

And then we got on to the water...

The Singapore Flyer coming into view

Choppy water by the Mer Lion

And the first time I saw the Mer Lion was in 2001, in Sentosa!

That was such a charming trip; on arrival back at base, we returned to the Tour offices, where Wendy bought me a fluffy yellow duck to remember it by. 

And now a little personal information: I love ducks. As a child, I was not into dolls and other such mundane, boring toys; for me, ducks were - and indeed, still are - the epitome of delightful imagination.

On regular trips from East Africa back to the UK, we usually spent most of a "long leave" up north in Lindale, near Grange-over-Sands. There was a large duck pond in Grange, and I think I have written about this before, but it will probably bear repeating: I had some pennies to buy stale bread, and I would go to the pond and feed the ducks. They got to know me, and would come flapping and quacking out of the water, and running on to the grass, pecking at the bottoms of my corduroy trousers, impatient to be fed. 

These excursions are some of the happiest of my childhood! and I am sure it doesn't need me to reiterate, I never eat duck.

When I was 12, I even wrote a little play called "The Ghost Dog's Howl," featuring ducks and Pekingese dogs. Picture the scene: Set in Peking, there was a looming disaster for ducks, because there were no worms to eat, and they were starving. Calling upon their ancient ancestors, they asked for help... and their plea was answered by a Pekingese, summoning up the Ghost Dog's Howl. When this marvellous sound was heard, there was as much food as the ducks could eat, and so disaster was averted. 

On our trip back by sea from England to Dar-es-Salaam in 1958, I managed to build a little stage and some scenery, and press-ganged another child into helping me perform the play. I thought I'd be lucky to get one show out of it, but it went down so well with all the other passengers, we had to give a repeat performance. 

Some long while ago, I found the script for it - I shall have to look it out again, type it up and perhaps one day it will enjoy a new production!

The Fountain Of Wealth, And Other Stories

The Fountain Of Wealth, And Other Stories 

Walk out of the Pan Pacific Hotel on to the walkway outside, and the heat is immediately upon you; but a short stroll round the curve, passing some shop windows, cross the road via the overhead walkway, and then you reach Suntec City, a haven of cool, air-conditioned malls, filled with shops and restaurants - and access to The Fountain of Wealth. 

On previous visits to Singapore, Wendy and I have followed the tradition of walking three times round the fountain, and making a wish; it's a popular attraction! and the cool splash of the water landing in the pool is a soothing respite from the outdoor heat. 

We also love Giant, the huge supermarket which stocks as much bottled water as we need, along with multipacks of Lux soaps in different fragrances, that are no longer available in England. We always have spare weight capacity in our luggage, so Wendy can stock up with a good supply to take back home with us.

Back at the Pan Pacific, we also realised that whilst enjoying the Happy Hour on Floor 38, we could also watch the beautiful light show in Super Tree Grove; Floor 38's panoramic windows offered a fine view! 

There are two performances of the light show, so we tended to watch the first from Floor 38, and then the second show from our bedroom windows a few floors down. 

First, though, we partook of a cream tea...

Followed shortly afterwards by the Happy Hour ...

One glass of champagne and one Singapore Sling!

And some swirly lights - where did they come from? 

Are they reflections in the panoramic windows on Floor 38?

Light-changing Super Tree Grove in the background

 

 

On Our Way Home - Via Singapore

On Our Way Home - Via Singapore

After our happy rest time in the lounge at Perth, we boarded the flight for Singapore, and our second stop-over in the city state. This time, Wendy and I knew we would have a little more time for some gentle sightseeing; the Fountain of Wealth, the Duck Tour, the Singapore Flyer were all on our wish list. 

We arrived in Singapore in the morning; Wendy had booked a taxi to take us to the Pan Pacific Hotel, specifically requesting a "careful, lady driver." In the event, we had been allocated the complete opposite to what we had asked for: the driver took us out to the car park, and we waited whilst he collected his car to pick us up by the door. 

We watched in horror as he drove too fast round the lane to where we were standing; he then had to reverse his car to get into the correct position and promptly backed it straight into one of the pillars. There was a horrible crunch, and the driver got out to inspect the damage; he then smiled and said everything was o.k, proceeded to open the boot for our cases. It's true the car was still drivable, but his attitude did not inspire confidence, and Wendy was all for cancelling the booking and getting on the underground. I felt the same, but I was also very tired; the cases were cumbersome, and because our flight had got us into Singapore early, and although we were going to ask if we could please have an early check in at the Hotel, we could not be sure this would be available.  

On balance, we decided to risk it, but during the whole journey, we were on tenterhooks, and Wendy had no hesitation in constantly reminding him she was a highly qualified and experienced driver with an Institute of Advanced Motorists' qualification, and expected the same standards from him. I don't think that really made any difference to our driver, who just reassured us everything was fine (although we had just seen the latest dent he had inflicted on his vehicle) and Wendy remained wide-eyed and vigilant until the moment when we pulled up (thankfully with no further mishaps) at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

From then on, everything improved! Every member of staff we met was kind, thoughtful and helpful, going well beyond the call of duty; from Paul, the Porter, to Amanda on Reception, we were treated right royally.

The Pacific Emporium

On previous visits, Wendy and I have enjoyed delicately delicious, dainty scones in the Emporium, with the pleasure of reading complimentary copies of the English language newspaper, The Straits Times 

So many floors! and a "spider" lift.

Wendy asked if it would be possible to pay for an early check in; Amanda on Reception already had our names up on the computer, and said not only could we have our room straight away, we were also being given a complimentary upgrade! She made us laugh with one remark - Taylor Swift had been in Singapore a few nights earlier, and if our visit had coincided with her Eras tour, there wouldn't have been a spare room anywhere! so our timing for this request was perfect. 

Lamps and a cooling stream in the Reception area

                                                             

More Lamps!

So good to these futuristic lights again

Our room was delightful, up on a higher floor than we have ever enjoyed before, with fine views - a real treat, and it was even more pleasing to discover that this upgrade included breakfasts, and access to "Floor 38," with even greater panoramic views over to The Bay and Super Tree Grove.  Also on Floor 38, between 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m., cream teas and light dishes (cauliflower soup - oh, yes!) were available, followed immediately by a Happy Hour, where guests could enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks; a real treat. Wendy does like a Singapore Sling!

How many floors up is this?!

Photos from our room and the external lift

Pan Pacific Restaurant

The Indian Restaurant 

More lamps, anyone?!

The Internal Spider Lift

The Chinese Restaurant 

  

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!