Singapore & Bangkok

We arrived in hot sticky Singapore for our very fast 2 day visit.

This huge city has many reminders of its British Empire days, including M&S.

The way to see the city is on one of the many city tour buses! We opted for the traditional open top double decker.

The London Eye? Not this time. The city has its very own 'Singapore Flyer'.

Up we go.

Getting a perspective of just how big and built up Singapore is.

That tall building has a boat on top of it - no, really!

The two domed buildings below are the Symphony Hall, where Kenny's cousin, Rachel, works as Principal Oboe Player for the orchestra.

This building is supposed to resemble a lotus flower but everyone calls it the baseball glove.

I am such a tourist!

We had heard that we must try the Singapore Spicy Crab, we tucked in in a very nice restaurant and, yes, people were correct - it was fantastic!

A better picture of the boat on top of the buildings - how crazy is this?

Kenny, having an interest in history (especially World War II), had found that there was a famous site in Singapore called the 'Battle Box'.

An underground head quarters for the British army during WWII.

It had been fully kitted out with Madam Tussuad's wax models and full commentary to depict the last few hours before their surrender to the Japanese in 1942 by Lt Gen Arthur Percival.

As they recognise their weak position and dwindling resources.

The final meeting where surrender is agreed.

The building was protected against gas attack by huge doors which also lead to very hot temperatures due to poor circulation.

Not so secret now!

The long entrance corridor.

A fantastic museum that even I would recommend.

Once more through the very modern streets of Singapore.

We were very fortunate to be able to stay with Kenny's cousin Rachel and her partner Greg. They were great hosts who never allowed our glasses to be empty so after a few too many wines Kenny was talked into a duo on the piano.

Even I was roped in even though my skills only stretch to Twinkle Twinkle.

We had a great visit, if a bit too short, to Singapore with fabulous company!

Next stop, Bangkok. Where Kenny' Mum (my Mother-in-Law) Veronica's best friend from uni (Phek Lin and her husband Looknon) lived. Looknon has connections to the Thai royal family and spent his working life working for the Thai Foreign Service being posted all over the world. Now retired, they live between their wonderful home in Bangkok and country house in Hua Hin (3 hours south of Bangkok). They are a fabulous family who very kindly looked after us for each of our stays in Thailand. We cannot thank them enough (and will continue to do so throughout this trip) as they really have been the most incredible hosts introducing us to many different types Thai food and culture. Their great hospitality began with being collected at the airport in their Rolls Royce!!!!

They have not only welcomed us into their home but have given us the use of this fabulous apartment for our Asia stay allowing me to buy and store many souvenirs without have to carry them around. Yeah!

On our first night, they invited us to dinner for a fantastic Thai feast. From left to right: Phek Lin, Looknon, Looknam (their eldest son, one of their 3 children), me, Kenny.

We had taster dishes of many Thai delights from a classic Thai Green curry to a locally made Papaya salad.

Typical Thai desert treats, predominantly made of bean curd (I think).

Day 2 and we venture out to the craziness of Bangkok and its humid heat!

Before too long we became too hot from walking and hailed a Tuk Tuk to take us for lunch somewhere. The roads here have become so busy even since my last visit with my mum, nearly 4 years ago. It now takes ages to get from A to B and the pollution often leads to a heavy smog over the city.

There is only one way to cool down, a Thai 'Chang' beer.

Ah - Khao San road. The famous backpackers area where you can buy funny T-shirts, fisherman trousers and CD's (as long as you do not mind copies).

Teva sandals and Birkenstocks for less than £6 a pair!!!

An hour foot massage for £4.

And a plate of Phad Thai noodles for £1.

The main tourist attraction in Bangkok (apart from the ladyboys) is the Grand Palace. A complex of buildings that used to be the official residence of royalty.

The main access area for tourists is the Wat Phra Kaew temple home to the Emerald Buddha. You may wonder why I am wearing a convict shirt? Arms and legs have to be covered at all times out of respect, my scarf was apparently too see-through so I had to borrow this to wear instead.

The temple area is amazing, and it is difficult to know where to look first.

Wow!

Incredible!

Amazing!

Fabulous detail.

Gold everywhere!

It goes on and on.

The Palace itself.

Guarded at all times, even though the King no longer lives here. (Yes that is a real man Thai men can be very small!)

An incredible place that I have now visited 3 times on different occasions and still am in awe everytime.

The grounds of the Palace.

Back on the streets for another fabulous Thai meal.

The next day we headed out to another temple; 'Wat Pho'. Home of the huge Reclining Buddha.

First however some little Buddhas and an old method of fortune telling.

In these red tubes are many sticks all with a number on them. You have to shake the tube until a stick falls out. Then shake 2 little blocks with the same pattern on them. If they land with the patterns the same way on both, then you take the fortune of the stick you just shook out if not then the process re-starts.

Mine read: 'Good luck gradually approaching ............Your lover is a rich widow and a good match. ........... Health is excellent'.

Kenny's: 'Need not worry, no one is going to harm you. ................. Be careful and selective in associating with people. Prospective mate still not in sight. ........... A baby girl forthcoming.'

Its a good job we are not Buddist! Although I am looking forward to meeting my rich widow!
(Meanwhile, I've started thinking of names for a baby girl! - K)

A Sarah Buddha.

The Reclining Buddha.

Round the Buddha are many little metal pots that you buy tiny coins for so you can drop them in as you walk around the Buddha as an offering. The little 'chink chink' echos through the building.

The temple is constantly being repaired and for a small fee you can write on the back of a roof tile.

Well we had to, The Megamoon imortalised forever (or until the rain washes it off. Whichever is sooner).

Apparently the rain comes way before "forever"!