I don’t want to ever forget the wonderful but all too brief time I had in Singapore. Or, for that matter, all the other places I set foot in since January 31st.
I wanted to visit the Aquarium this morning in the remaining time I had in Singapore. However, a car was to pick me up at 12.05 to transfer me to the Airport; the concierge didn’t think it prudent to take a taxi out there, perhaps spend 20 minutes inside, and come back with little time, and possible error. On one of my bus tours, The Fountain of Wealth was pointed out. It was explained that it stood within five high rise tower blocks numbered 1 – 5, representing four fingers and one thumb! The Chinese are big on this kind of symbolism. I need to research this in more detail, but I think it’s all part of the nearby SunTec City complex, a massive commercial and retail hub, both overground and subterranean. I walked to the fountain with its choreographed water displays. As instructed by a notice next to the central fountain, I put my hand in, walked around it three times, and made (probably more than) one wish. As a belt and braces precaution, I went round again! The video of this second excersise confirmed I am no herculean heart-throb! This made a fitting finale to my time in Singapore, and once again, I leave with the determination to return, as there is much yet to see.
I am at there airport now, another spectacular space-age futuristic piece of civil engineering. Let’s see whether I have squandered £95 on an upgrade to Premium Economy. As people keep reminding me, “you can’t take it with you”. I hope they don’t confiscate my toothpaste again! QE2 in Dubai, next and final call before heading home on QM2.
Final pictures of Singapore.
1 – 4) Views from my 19th floor hotel room
5 and 6) View from street level
7 – 13) SunTec and Fountain of Wealth.
21.00hrs local time, Dubai (01.00hrs Singapore)
There seemed to be less formality embarking on my forward flight to Dubai. £95 for the upgrade to Premium Economy was well worth the extra, particularly as I was the sole occupant of a centre row of four, with ample legroom. I don’t think the food was any better than in Economy. Champagne was flowing rather freely.
At the airport, I purchased a memory card for my camera, and also splashed out on a set of Sony headphones. They were rather pricey, but there’s a lot of technology attached to this pair which I shall weigh up when I am at home.
I am now in Dubai, on board the former Cunard liner QE2. Those of you who have known me for some time will know already that I would sail on QE2 fairly frequently. It is now, at long last, a hotel in Dubai. This vessel was sold to Middle East interests in 2007 (I think), its last sailing as a Cunard liner being to Dubai on 11th November 2008. My last trip on her was a voyage to the USA andCanada in September 2008. I watched with a degree of nostalgia as QE2 sailed from Southampton for the last time, never believing I would be seeing her again. It seems to be doing well. I am in cabin 2093, a former Queens Grill stateroom on Deck 2. As I wrote last year, the ship is little altered, but has “scrubbed up” remarkably well. I dined in The Lido tonight. The English roast was somewhat like warm, but then, I didn’t arrive til later on.
Flying from Singapore to Dubai, my day is four hours longer, only four hours ahead of the UK. Hence, I am prematurely tired! It’s going to be fun reacquainting myself with this ship.
Thanks, again for reading.
David.
David's Cruise 