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  1. #1
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    A few days work and play in the Lion City - Gardens by the Bay

    It's not a secret that we very much enjoyed living and working in Singapore for close to six years before Thailand and Malaysia . . . it's simply a brilliant country to be with kids . . . if you like the tropics.

    Singapore is a brilliant example of how things can actually be done right in Asia . . . well, Japan as well - our second favourite country to have lived and worked.

    My wife had to attend a seminar at OUB and I had an interview about a possible contracting gig . . . so we decided to combine business and pleasure and spent a few days more there . . . also, it was our wedding anniversary.

    Aside form the Science Museum - a favourite for our youngest - we thought we'd spend time at the Gardens by the Bay . . . impressive. Simply impressive.

    From the 'canopy' walk to the amazing gardens to the kids' zone and more . . . let's not forget the food area, serving excellent food in a country with the best food in Asia.

    The size of the 'floating baby' - easily 20 metres in size . . . depicting the artist's son
    http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en...rs-trails.html



    Skyscape . . .





    'Canopy' Walk - breathtaking views and refreshing breeze!











    If you're on a bit of a budget I can only recommend the Miramar Hotel - just a very short walk to the river and all the restaurants and pubs you can shake a stick at . . . rate hovers at around SGD200 and they're very easy to persuade for an upgrade

  2. #2
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    Looks awesome mate!

  3. #3
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
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    Great pics mate. More of a tour please.

  4. #4
    I am in Jail

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    Never been a fan of Singapore, always found it to clinical.

    Nice pics though.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stinky
    Looks awesome mate!
    It is, stinky . . . it's also fun to walk through and be surprised by what you find around each corner
    Quote Originally Posted by Luigi
    Great pics mate. More of a tour please.
    Cheers. A few more coming up!
    Quote Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower
    Never been a fan of Singapore, always found it to clinical.
    I hear that, but I don't understand to be honest. Yes, Singapore is clean - there is a lack of rubbish in the streets, no cigarette butts in plant pots etc . . . until you get a bit outside the CBD or tourist areas . . .

    There are lots of pubs with musicians plying their trade and Filipinas plying theirs. Speaking of which - you can always get your rocks off in Geylang - heaps of ladies from Thailand who are health-checked and allowed to work in this red light district . . . loads of Indons and mainland Chinese hanging around the periphery if that's what catches your interest.

    Used to play pool several times a week in several pubs - all smoky and crowded with locals and expats . . . can't see how that is different from HK, as an example.

    The food is safe to eat . . . as their standards of health and safety are very high.

    Can't fault it, really.

    But, to each their own. I know several people with whom I worked in HK and they'd swear by the place and wouldn't touch Singapore with a bargepole . . . I didn't like HK.

    Quote Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower
    Nice pics though.
    Thank you, kind sir
    Last edited by panama hat; 26-05-2015 at 09:54 AM.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
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    One of two plantariums/planetaria . . .



    Lovely shaded walkways



    Waterfountains for kids (and the odd adult) to cool off in



    Slide down for free circumcision


  7. #7
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Looks brilliant!

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    Looks brilliant!
    It is, mate . . . and the politics would make you happy! ( ) Low taxes!!!! LOVED IT!

    Seeing as you've been in this area for such a long time, don't tell me you haven't been to Sniggers . . . or is it just Gardens by the Bay?

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    Looks brilliant!
    It is, mate . . . and the politics would make you happy! ( ) Low taxes!!!! LOVED IT!

    Seeing as you've been in this area for such a long time, don't tell me you haven't been to Sniggers . . . or is it just Gardens by the Bay?
    Lived there (Changi) for 2.5 years back in the '80's before it got real expensive. The missus & I pop down couple of times a year now so she can get over her gamboling Jones at Marina Bay Sands. Haven't been to the Gardens by the Bay as yet.
    A Deplorable Bitter Clinger

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Nice pics ... Were you Torbek before Panama Hat?

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    The missus & I pop down couple of times a year now so she can get over her gamboling Jones at Marina Bay Sands.
    Ah, an old hand then . . . !

    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper
    Nice pics ...
    Thank you

    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper
    Were you Torbek before Panama Hat?
    Nope. Been Panama Hat since inception, actually since I started participating in forums about 15 years ago, in SG, HK and here

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Yes, fondly remember Orchard Road w/out all the traffic. Cold Storage Supermarket/Shaw Center. Jockey Pub & cheap greens fees at the golf courses.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
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    Geez, not even I remember cheap green fees . . .

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    Geez, not even I remember cheap green fees . . .
    I used to play the Changi course mostly and it was affordable. Nice swim club there too with a Squash Court. Probably gone now.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    Geez, not even I remember cheap green fees . . .
    I used to play the Changi course mostly and it was affordable. Nice swim club there too with a Squash Court. Probably gone now.
    The Changi Golf Club is still there, but I'm sure it's been 'upgraded' . . . I'd always lived in the Bukit Timah area so popping over to Malaysia for a game was more convenient . . . and cheaper

    The only place I didn't own a car since I got my first one at age 17 - and never needed one.

    Love the place.

    Actually, the result of my meeting was an offer of a two-year consultancy contract . . . which is excellent but our plan is fairly definite to head on back to NZ

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    One needs to be on a very 'high-level' Ex Pat package to afford Singapore these days.

    But honestly, the place is boring after the initial novelty wears off and, as you did, a lot of folks headed over the causeway on the weekend.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    One needs to be on a very 'high-level' Ex Pat package to afford Singapore these days.
    Ah, the old days . . .

    There are actually fewer expats as Singapore makes the transition from undereducated and underexperienced country to fully fledged 'first world' economy with its own citizens.


    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    But honestly, the place is boring after the initial novelty wears off and, as you did, a lot of folks headed over the causeway on the weekend.
    I still love it and wish we had stayed . . . the grass certainly is not greener on the other side of the causeway . . . our house and pool may be bigger but that's about it. Ringgit for dollar it is actually more expensive here than SG.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
    One needs to be on a very 'high-level' Ex Pat package to afford Singapore these days.

    But honestly, the place is boring after the initial novelty wears off and, as you did, a lot of folks headed over the causeway on the weekend.
    Very nice place to be stationed with the Navy these days. Not sure how families like it but most single Sailors love the place.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper
    Not sure how families like it
    The big advantage of Singapore over other countries is that one needn't send one's kids to International Schools as government schools are more than adequate . . . and it's all in English.
    Our eldest went to school in SG and she was easily two to three years ahead when we came here and placed her in an International School . . . plus we saved 25-30k per annum on school fees . . . which we have to pay here.

    Safety . . . another factor

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper
    Not sure how families like it
    The big advantage of Singapore over other countries is that one needn't send one's kids to International Schools as government schools are more than adequate . . . and it's all in English.
    Our eldest went to school in SG and she was easily two to three years ahead when we came here and placed her in an International School . . . plus we saved 25-30k per annum on school fees . . . which we have to pay here.

    Safety . . . another factor
    A boss I worked for back in 1997-1999 is stationed there now with his family after being stationed in Bahrain. Not sure how they like it but I haven't heard any complaints.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
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    The Science Centre . . . the littlest one's favourite attraction is the wandering/squeezing/sliding through of the human body.

    One literally climbs up the tongue into the mouth and then slides down the throat - teh details are magnificent . . . from the heart and bloodcells, stomach etc.... until you squeeze out of the anus. True





    The sights, sounds, smells and textures of the various organs are simply totally cool

  22. #22
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee
    One needs to be on a very 'high-level' Ex Pat package to afford Singapore these days.
    I would suspect it's even more now than when the company I was running in the early 90's had expats in Singapore. Married expat with one kid was about $400k to keep in Singapore.

    Even though not my cup of tea, Singapore is a great place. Disneyland with a death penalty.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    The Science Centre . . . the littlest one's favourite attraction is the wandering/squeezing/sliding through of the human body.

    The sights, sounds, smells and textures of the various organs are simply totally cool
    Is it more fun/cool than the old Tiger Balm Gardens?

    Heard they ripped that out some years ago.

  24. #24
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    Tiger Balm Gardens is still here but it's called Haw Par Villa.

    Haw Par Villa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  25. #25
    I am in Jail

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    I can see where your coming from about Singapore,though i much prefer HK,I like the rough around the edges places.

    Have found many of the expats in both places pretentious,though singapore more than HK.

    Must admit the food and service in Singapore was very good.

    The Airports are very efficient.most probably the best I've seen for speed getting through Immigration.

    I lost my bag with everything in it a few years ago, and got it back very quickly,asked to give the cleaner on the plane a reward and it was declined.

    Told me it was all part of the Singapore experience.

    Quote Originally Posted by OckerRocker View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Stinky
    Looks awesome mate!
    It is, stinky . . . it's also fun to walk through and be surprised by what you find around each corner
    Quote Originally Posted by Luigi
    Great pics mate. More of a tour please.
    Cheers. A few more coming up!
    Quote Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower
    Never been a fan of Singapore, always found it to clinical.
    I hear that, but I don't understand to be honest. Yes, Singapore is clean - there is a lack of rubbish in the streets, no cigarette butts in plant pots etc . . . until you get a bit outside the CBD or tourist areas . . .

    There are lots of pubs with musicians plying their trade and Filipinas plying theirs. Speaking of which - you can always get your rocks off in Geylang - heaps of ladies from Thailand who are health-checked and allowed to work in this red light district . . . loads of Indons and mainland Chinese hanging around the periphery if that's what catches your interest.

    Used to play pool several times a week in several pubs - all smoky and crowded with locals and expats . . . can't see how that is different from HK, as an example.

    The food is safe to eat . . . as their standards of health and safety are very high.

    Can't fault it, really.

    But, to each their own. I know several people with whom I worked in HK and they'd swear by the place and wouldn't touch Singapore with a bargepole . . . I didn't like HK.

    Quote Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower
    Nice pics though.
    Thank you, kind sir

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