The flight from Portland to San Francisco went as planned. The flight from San Francisco to Singapore is scheduled at 17 hours and 10 minutes. As a Platinum Premium flyer with United, I got to enter the plane with Group One at about 9:45 for the 10:25 departure. I was excited because this was my first time in one of the new Boeing 787s. After we all boarded, the pilot announced that we would be delayed briefly - it ended up close to an hour. The flight apparently was longer than normal due to flying over and around various weather problems. So I ended up on the plane for nearly 20 hours. The good news is the Premium Economy seats have ample leg room and if I was on a shorter flight, the seats would have been okay. But the seats and the aisles are too narrow. Nearly every time someone went by my seat, I would get bumped by that person. It would have been even worse if there had been a person in the middle seat. I did get some sleep, and I did eat parts of each of the three meals that were scheduled and served.
Process through immigration was a bit slower than I had expected - Singapore is renowned for their efficiency and speed, but it was not present today in their immigration processing (and nowhere near as fast as I recall it from our last stay there). I only had carry on luggage, so no wait for luggage. Customs is a breeze - if you have nothing to declare you just walk out the door. Many ATMs were available to get some cash, and good signage to the train. The machines to buy metro tickets were easy to use. The trains were whole other world. Since I was heading into the city around eight in the morning, I hit rush hour. The first train from the airport only goes a couple of stops and then you have to change to an EW green train (East - West). There are lines painted on the platform to show you where to stand, and in case you did not know, there were employees with whistles and batons to direct you (whether you needed it or not). Each train coming through was packed full, yet eight or ten people jammed in when the doors opened. I did not make the first train, nor the second one, but did get the third train. And as packed as the train was, it seemed that more people got on at each stop. They did this by turning their backs toward the train and pushing against people until they could just get in and the doors could close. Then people would readjust as the train was moving to the next stop where this would happen again - and again - and again. My stop was three stops beyond city hall stop - only there did more people get off than people got on.
I got off the train and used my trusty google maps app on my phone to navigate the less than ten minute walk to the hotel. My room was not ready but I was able to use the shower room by the pool to shower, shave and change. The only problem is that the temperature and humidity is so high, I was soaked with sweat long before I got the clean clothes on. Such is life. Temps here are in the 90s during the day and around 80 at night.
After leaving my luggage with the front desk, I set out to explore the city. One thing I noticed was there is construction everywhere - both new and rehab work. Another thing I noticed was the contrast between the new high rise buildings with minimal architectural distinction and the lower, older buildings that show the clear Asian influences.
The Scarlet Singapore Hotel is virtually in Chinatown, so my walking took me near and through parts of this distinctive area.
While English is one of the official languages, Mandarin Chinese is also. So the signs were always in at least two languages. I had seen signs and days of car free Sunday in Madrid and I see that parts of Singapore were trying to do the same.
I had heard about Singapore wanting to be recognized for it ecofriendly ways, especially with working hard to have plenty of trees and green spaces. They have done a great job, including rooftop gardens, tree lined streets and many plants on balconies. But much to my surprise, while the hotels give everyone bottles of war to avoid dehydration in this weather - Singapore does not recycle empty plastic water bottles.
I came across this ad for 100% crocodile oil that moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Maybe that is needed in this hot humid place.
I am struck by the contrasts of old and new architecture.
In addition to Chinatown, I also visited the famous shopping area on Orchard Street. Every imaginable premium brand had their own stores - Ralph Lauren Polo, Rolex, Prada, Gucci. You name it, it was there in a stretch of stores about a mile long. I remember that stores in the heart of Montreal are connected underground to ease travel in the winter months - there was a similar mindset here, but it was to ease travel in the hot and humid weather.
I had a pleasant lunch at the Watanabe Japanese Cafe - soup, and an entree of salmon, rice and mushrooms, baked in a creamy cheese sauce.
In one elevator, I came across this excellent idea. Vertical panel next to the door is for people who are standing while the horizontal panel to the left is at the correct height for people in wheel chairs, allowing them to push their own floor selection to even the top floors.
And there were low price guarantees advertised, the lowest prices in Asia - apparently a lot of wealthy tourists come to Singapore to shop. I did not notice many bargains.
There are interesting pieces of artwork in many places in the city, juxtaposed among the high rise office buildings.
Singapore is also mindful of its status as an international gateway to Asia.
I started to fade, so went back to hotel and napped from about 4:00 until 6:00, then had a nice dinner at the Italian restaurant in the hotel. After dinner, I retired to my room and by 9:00, was ready to call it a day. One thing I noticed is that I drank a lot of water today, and again during the night whenever I would awake - I was thirsty and drank some more.
Process through immigration was a bit slower than I had expected - Singapore is renowned for their efficiency and speed, but it was not present today in their immigration processing (and nowhere near as fast as I recall it from our last stay there). I only had carry on luggage, so no wait for luggage. Customs is a breeze - if you have nothing to declare you just walk out the door. Many ATMs were available to get some cash, and good signage to the train. The machines to buy metro tickets were easy to use. The trains were whole other world. Since I was heading into the city around eight in the morning, I hit rush hour. The first train from the airport only goes a couple of stops and then you have to change to an EW green train (East - West). There are lines painted on the platform to show you where to stand, and in case you did not know, there were employees with whistles and batons to direct you (whether you needed it or not). Each train coming through was packed full, yet eight or ten people jammed in when the doors opened. I did not make the first train, nor the second one, but did get the third train. And as packed as the train was, it seemed that more people got on at each stop. They did this by turning their backs toward the train and pushing against people until they could just get in and the doors could close. Then people would readjust as the train was moving to the next stop where this would happen again - and again - and again. My stop was three stops beyond city hall stop - only there did more people get off than people got on.
I got off the train and used my trusty google maps app on my phone to navigate the less than ten minute walk to the hotel. My room was not ready but I was able to use the shower room by the pool to shower, shave and change. The only problem is that the temperature and humidity is so high, I was soaked with sweat long before I got the clean clothes on. Such is life. Temps here are in the 90s during the day and around 80 at night.
After leaving my luggage with the front desk, I set out to explore the city. One thing I noticed was there is construction everywhere - both new and rehab work. Another thing I noticed was the contrast between the new high rise buildings with minimal architectural distinction and the lower, older buildings that show the clear Asian influences.
The Scarlet Singapore Hotel is virtually in Chinatown, so my walking took me near and through parts of this distinctive area.
While English is one of the official languages, Mandarin Chinese is also. So the signs were always in at least two languages. I had seen signs and days of car free Sunday in Madrid and I see that parts of Singapore were trying to do the same.
I had heard about Singapore wanting to be recognized for it ecofriendly ways, especially with working hard to have plenty of trees and green spaces. They have done a great job, including rooftop gardens, tree lined streets and many plants on balconies. But much to my surprise, while the hotels give everyone bottles of war to avoid dehydration in this weather - Singapore does not recycle empty plastic water bottles.
I came across this ad for 100% crocodile oil that moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Maybe that is needed in this hot humid place.
I am struck by the contrasts of old and new architecture.
In addition to Chinatown, I also visited the famous shopping area on Orchard Street. Every imaginable premium brand had their own stores - Ralph Lauren Polo, Rolex, Prada, Gucci. You name it, it was there in a stretch of stores about a mile long. I remember that stores in the heart of Montreal are connected underground to ease travel in the winter months - there was a similar mindset here, but it was to ease travel in the hot and humid weather.
I had a pleasant lunch at the Watanabe Japanese Cafe - soup, and an entree of salmon, rice and mushrooms, baked in a creamy cheese sauce.
In one elevator, I came across this excellent idea. Vertical panel next to the door is for people who are standing while the horizontal panel to the left is at the correct height for people in wheel chairs, allowing them to push their own floor selection to even the top floors.
And there were low price guarantees advertised, the lowest prices in Asia - apparently a lot of wealthy tourists come to Singapore to shop. I did not notice many bargains.
There are interesting pieces of artwork in many places in the city, juxtaposed among the high rise office buildings.
Singapore is also mindful of its status as an international gateway to Asia.
I started to fade, so went back to hotel and napped from about 4:00 until 6:00, then had a nice dinner at the Italian restaurant in the hotel. After dinner, I retired to my room and by 9:00, was ready to call it a day. One thing I noticed is that I drank a lot of water today, and again during the night whenever I would awake - I was thirsty and drank some more.
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