Singapore – Suntec City

So, as you can see, there is so much to do in Singapore. You can spend a fortune – or if you are like me, enjoy the simple pleasures.

It’s essential for me to be able to get to grips with the country I’m visiting. Sometimes getting away from the ‘touristy’ parts. But we can’t escape one place – Suntec City. A business, convention, and shopping complex.

Five towers surround a huge Fountain – The Fountain of Wealth.

And of course I followed tradition and walked around it in order to encourage good fortune into my life. However that was when the fountain was not at full force!

We went back one night to see the full fountain and laser show.

Although it can be a long walk back to Chinatown, if you choose your route carefully it can be worthwhile.

Walking along the river side, so many wonderful sights that take on different shape at night – a beauty of there own.

In this picture you can just make out the ‘Merlion’ in the bottom far left corner.

And although I tend to be a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to architecture, the Esplanade is quite spectacular!

But let’s get back to the bustle of Chinatown. To be able to walk down one of the side streets and see unusual stalls.

This one stall had an extensive display of dried meats.

And leading out into New Bridge Road and looking at the lights across the road in readiness for the Chinese New Year.

Getting back to the routine I mentioned at the beginning. Lying out on the bed, back at my hotel ‘The Royal Peacock’, watching a movie on television, till about 10.30pm. Then out onto Keong Saik Road, cutting across Kreta Ayer Road and ending up on New Bridge Road. Looking at the lights on display, until you reach Temple Street.

Up Temple Street, weaving through the heaving crowds of night-time shoppers, to the ‘Backstage Bar’. Usually recognising a few of the guys I’d got to know – Jack, Terence, Azim, and Sabri.

Enjoying a glass of wine out on the balcony, overlooking the crowds below.

However the British tradition of ‘pub crawl’ gets to me, and a certain restlessness takes over and I have to move on. The pity of this side of me is that I was unable to enjoy the company of another good friend one night – Jason, who wanted to go straight to ‘Tantric’.

So, over South Bridge Road towards Ann Siang Hill. And a drink at ‘95’ on Club Street.

I had an enjoyable conversation in ‘95’ one night with a gentleman by the name of Mark Richmond, who was interested in my Welsh background.

And I forgave the owner of the bar – Irene Ang for initially referring to me as ‘Mr. English’ !!!!!

(It was on Club Street that Benny and myself enjoyed a nice meal at Jerry’s Steakhouse one night.)

Out into the night, and up Ann Siang Hill. It was a spectacular sight to walk up the little side lane and experience the magnificent view of the skyscrapers looming over the hill, and the full moon nestling between the great towers.

Through the small park, frequented by some ‘very friendly gentlemen’. Down the other side of the small hill to Amoy Street, and Caprice bar.

Again out into the warm night air, over Ann Siang Hill, walking by Maxwell Food Hall on Maxwell Road to Neil Road, and ‘Tantric’.

www.backstagebar.moonfruit.com/

Through the entrance of ‘Tantric’ into the small courtyard, with the sound of gentle waterfall, and into the subtle lighting of the bar.

It’s quite something to stand at the entrance of the bar at night, facing outwards, and seeing the contrast in the architecture. The skyscrapers in the distance, in the near distance the traditional buildings with there colourful stonework, and then this peaceful little courtyard.

Sadly such enjoyable routines don’t last.

On my last day I had developed a fairly bad cold. But I walked around, enjoying the colourful sights I had grown to admire.

The night soon came, and it was a case of waiting for the taxi to take me from ‘Tantric’ to the airport. As the car dove off, a last turn around to see that wonderful smile that had first greeted me, slowly vanish into the distance.