Brilliant birthdaze

I wasn't planning on blogging this trip, after all the people I write it for were the very people I was travelling with. But on the way home Matt said he was sorry I didn't as he likes looking back on our (curated) travel photos. So here we are, back in Newcastle but I'm blogging like I'm on my way to Singapore and beyond.



The Sambal

Before departing we had to exchange some money, so a trip to town included a trip to a little Indonesian restaurant we like in Kent St for things on sticks. Starting as we intended to continue.





sisters at the airport


The trip was celebrating birthdays at both end, David in Singapore and Dad in Hong Kong and we began as we always do - with overpriced airport drinks.



Our room at Robinson House.


Our trip got off to a slightly slow start as we waited and waited and waited on the runway. We later found out that multiple flights were cancelled that day due to a shortage of air-traffic control. Anyway, we eventually made it and the next day were ready to start as we meant to go on. With food adventures at Zion Riverside Hawkers Centre.

 
Zion food centre, Duck and ice coffee, Noodles and beer

We were in quite a convenient area, handy to the riverside walk and I was quite pleased to see on the map there was a craft beer stall. Alas, the elation was too soon.



We had a wander and a look around before meeting up with Amanda and Stu at the famous Long Bar. The queue was long but we were determined!


Rascals at Raffles


 

 

Things on sticks made an appearance for dinner when the whole family descended upon Lau Pa Sat and the famouse evening satay stalls
Love the contrast between the smokey cooking, the Victorian market building and the surrounding skyscrapers.


   

   


Despite many stop overs in Singapore I'd neer managed to visit the Peranaken Museum so was really pleased to get there this trip. Had a great chat with an older lady who gave us her lived experience about the cultural changes over the last 70 odd years.

Also saw a special exhibition on peacocks in art and culture where I got to contribute to a public art piece. We followed our fascinating visit with lunch at the Maxwell Centre. I'm never making my own chicken rice again.







the most beautiful tiffin tin


Look carefully at the embroidery on the kebaya

   

The museum is over three floors in what was the Tao Nan School.
It was built in 1912 as the first modern Hokkien school in the Straits Settlements and the building’s layout is based on Straits Settlements bungalows

Rooms were around a central hall while toilets and kitchens were outside.


 

Near the Maxwell Centre and wandering Chinatown.
  

Embarkation day and David's Birthday! What a difference a Dave Makes!
Last meal in Singapore (for this trip anyway) was breakfast prior to joining out cruise.

 


Birthday Shirts



Obligatory shot of Marina Bay Sands Hotel to close the chapter on Singapore.