Sydney to Singapore

Singapore here we come!

Finally, we are on our way. Left home a day earlier than planned so we could catch the World Press Photo Prize 2014 exhibition at the State Library and later at night the Vivid show in Sydney. As with last year, the World Press photos were amazing. Often gut wrenching and confronting as much of the subject matter comes from the world's worst trouble spots, but worth the visit and especially the free entry price.  Strolling around Circular Quay we came across this contortionist chick who squeezes herself into a tiny box on top of a ladder. Very entertaining. Funny though, we saw her act before in exactly the same location a couple of years ago.

Bendy Em, as she likes to call herself, squeezes into this tiny box

View from the roof top terrace at the Rocks YHA

Circular Quay next morning

An arty-farty shot of the Opera House steps

This stage was part of the Vivid show. Baz Luhrmann eat your heart out. A dazzling display of lights from below the dance floor had the toddlers busting all their dance moves while mums and dads (and probably a few perverts) took photos. 

Made it to Singapore on time. Good flight. Easy through immigration and customs and grabbed a cab to Katie’s condo. She’s on an area which, as I recall, was still underwater when we lived here in the early 80’s. The harbour edge has been relentlessly pushed back over the past couple of decades so that sea front properties then are well inland now. Hard to recognise the place at first, but a tour of the city on the Hop on hop off bus brought it all back pretty quickly. Fabulous food smells. Hustle and bustle. Went to the top of the Marina Sands some 57 storeys above ground for great views of the city and harbour below. Also lucky to catch an exhibition by Annie Liebowitz (uber-famous photographer with some of the best ever magazine covers). Great hawker food last night, washed down with ice cold Tiger. We mostly go everywhere by taxi as it’s a fair walk to the nearest MRT (Underground). Strolled through the Botanic Gardens today then back for a swim in the condo’s huge pool. 

View from the roof top garden at marina Sands, overlooking the harbour and futuristic gardens. Katie's condo in up in the top left corner.

Pallid tourists working on their sunburn 57 floors above ground. Beers a measly $20. The most expensive drink? Courvoisier L'Essence - only $500 a glass or the whole bottle for $9800

Marine Sands in the early morning light, as seen from Katie's.

Sue and Amelia at Dempsey's Hill, Singapore. Now a restaurant precinct but once an old military site (I think).

Working up a thirst. (Photo by Katie)

Singapore's Botanic Gardens: some kind of ginger plant

ditto

Tonight we’re off to the seafood centre for chilli crab and more ice cold Tiger. 

The real reason we came to Singapore - East Coast Chilli Crab. I wonder what the poor people are having for dinner tonight?

Sweating profusely. Lips burning. Thank goodness for a cold Tiger.

Thought I'd better add these before signing off from Singapore. Tomorrow, a leisurely day before heading back to the airport to meet up with Don and Sigi for the flight to St. Petersburg.