Singapore

[monkey66]

Not Ye old Penny black but somewhere on Clarke Quay. I may find some Chilli crab for lunch (anyone want to sit next to me on the 14hr flight back tonight?)

Humidity is about 95% ....like walking into a sauna so they are dehumidifying. Great weather for a suit and tie that I have been wearing each day.

Prices for the smokes are a little bit less than UK retail but they tax tobacco by the weight here so bigger sticks have a disproportional cost. My bill was about ?45 for the big Cohiba Reserva 2003 and 2 drinks. The discount price on one of those boxes of Cohiba Reserva 2003 was about ?900 (they are $571 on Cuban Lou's) so I wont be bringing home any sticks from here.

[roughrider]

Sounds like a fun time.

[monkey66]

So I had my final meeting this morning (Singapore time) and it was actually on time. This meant I could get out and explore for the rest of the day. A real relief to get out of a suit/shirt/tie (35degC and 95% humidity here). First I had a great sushi lunch, at the risk of sounding predictable the seafood here is great. Did my packing and headed out in the afternoon heat (mad dogs and all) for a long walk around Chinatown district (so I would end up at the Olde Cuban again).

Saw some amazing sites including the Peoples Palace mall which is completely Chinese, loads of hawkers, street food, more used Rolexes that I have ever seen in one place (genuine not counterfeit), a scary array of 'medical' services including foot spas with live fish that nibble your dead skin away, a booth offering treatment for piles with graphic pictures in the window, lots of money changers and various massage services. The number of people in there (over 4 floors) must have been in the thousand and I did not see another non-Chinese face (or hear English apart from when people were talking to me aka Mr Tourist). Even though I had already eaten I felt I owed it to myself to check out some of the great food stalls... mmmm meat on sticks, Chinese pastries, Indian Paratas, Japanese mirowasi ...I had to stop myself.

I then toured all of the regular street markets, an experience but I have never seen so many places selling the same toot in one area. I ended up at the Buddhist central temple and went inside as it was beautiful and seemed like the appropriate place to clear my mind. Within a couple of mins the afternoon prayers/chanting was beginning so I decided to stay and experience the process. Well this was a great experience. NB - any Buddhist please excuse my poor terminology and lack of knowledge, As i was front and central I went along with the devotees with the standing and sitting but couldn't help much with the chanting. An hour later if mind boggling, disciplined, rhythmic and melodic chanting I was pretty spaced. For those of you with a musical bent you have to hear the complexity of the rhythms and melodies from this kind of ceremony.

So I left there and thought time for a smoke. I headed back to the Olde Cuban and saw the same girl from the night before. We discussed sticks again and this time she said why don't I try an aged (2000) Party Luci. Well I thought Lascaux would never forgive me if I didn't although I had some reservations for all CC's from 00/01.

The ceremony was as before, I was seated the Cigar presented for my approval, then cut for me and presented again to test the draw. Unfortunately it didn't draw and after informing my girl she rushed out looking concerned. She returned with a poker up it's jaksy, looked at me for a couple of seconds and said 'ill get another one'. I was beginning to get a bit concerned and stepped back to the humi where she was going through the box but was not looking happy. At this point I said lets choose a different stick and picked a Trini Funderdores.

This was a great idea, what a fantastic smoke, long smooth, complex, clean, changed as the smoke went through and i nursed it for nearly two hours. This is one of the best stick I have smoked.

Headed back toward the hotel across the banking district that makes Manhattan look old fashioned, tremendous skyscrapers and upmarket bars, what a contrast to half a mile away.

Sat down on one of the waterside Chinese restaurants and ordered two massive prawns, one with pepper sauce and one with garlic and ginger. enjoyed these as day turned to night over the water. Slightly surreal to hear the sound of bagpipes to be followed by a dozen or so Scots guys in kilts looking very merry singing 'Barry is a bender'. I would imagine local expats on a Stag as it is a long way to come from Glasgow!

I now find myself sat in the airport so i'm gonna sign off. Will post some pics tomorrow if I am still alive.

[ACMCC]

Great info Monkey... Very interesting area, there are a few shopping centre's around their, some designer type ones etc. I find that one the most interesting with all the watch and camera shops and the Chinese goodies, one of the odd things I found was the strange mix of shops and how easy it was to look around even though it was packed, being taller you can see over everyone's head

One of the best place's to go for watch nuts, way cheaper than Europe,
didn't look into the cigar stores last time though, will certainly try the Olde Cuban on me next visit.....

[monkey66]

OK some pics ; Peoples palace mall, Central temple, banking district and view during dinner.

Finally there are two pics of the poor, overpriced duty free and Changi airport (thank god or I may have spent more).