Sunday 21st June 2009

Our last day in sensational Singapore. The country has delighted us with its hospitality and diversity, from the tropical beaches of Sentosa, the historical architecture of the Peranakan styles to the modern city scapes. The food of Singapore sums up the ethnic diversity which makes this tiny country great.

After breakfast we took a taxi north to Singapore Botanic gardens. We spent the day walking at our leisure taking in the beautiful gardens and lakes.

We saw the ginger garden and was particularly taken by their special National Orchid garden collection. This was the highlight of the whole garden as it was so colourful and lush.

 The mist house has some interesting sculptures intermingled with the plants. The cool house was a pleasant break from the ever pressing heat.

We took a stroll around the bandstand which was empty. We rested and watched with interest a photography 'class' in progress. In another part of the garden a tai chi lesson was under way complete with matching fans :) 

 mini fountain

After a light lunch at one of their kiosks we wandered around swan lake and saw the sculptures and waterfalls. We managed to dodge a rain shower by looking around a gift shop. It's hard to keep away from the gold dragons but Groz did end up buying my a real orchid flower dipped in gold and put on a special moveable chain to wear as a belt or necklace :) Well it is their national flower.

The flowers and sculptures looked even more beautiful after the rain. It was so humid and the returning sun made it even hotter so we spent time taking it easy in the spice and bamboo gardens near the huge Eco-lake. We saw terrapin/turtles basking in the sun surrounded by the tropical palms and plants.

By 4pm we were back at the hotel finalising our departure. I bought a couple more souvenir t-shirts from the hotel shop downstairs. Then on the 8th floor we had refreshments in the club lounge for an hour or so, where Percy arranged for a taxi limo to collect us to take us to the airport.

At the airport we looked around all the shops and was hoping to see the artist who paints all the wonderful oriental calligraphy art. We still managed to buy some of his work. 

11pm flight home, was uneventful, a film, some music and naps, and saw the city lights over KL and the sunrise twice over Europe and London :) Everything ran smoothly and our car was ready at the valet parking, even our bags didn't take too long to arrive and the kites survivied in one piece :)

Once we were home, I was buzzing. I got a serious case of the munchies (jetlag ?) :)
I saw treasure these memories for always..... it was the most amazing time.

[total number of images taken today: 257]  More images available in our gallery