Checked out of Marina Bay Sands today. I have 6 hours to kill before bidding farewell to Singapore - the beautiful mermaid city. I went to Din Tai Fung within the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes and had brunch. Din Tai Fung tastes just as good in Singapore. YUMMMMM! I've now marked off another worldwide Din Tai Fung off my list. It's not really fun dining alone as I am very limited when making my orders - especially when I do enjoy a variety. Steamed pork and prawns dumplings, original mini wanton with chilli oil and vinegar sauce and noodles with mince pork mince and bean curd.
After brunch, I headed over to the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Melenia to gaze at amazing art. It may seem a little strange to head to a hotel to look at artwork, but The Ritz Carlton, Melenia is no ordinary hotel. The 4,200 pieces of artwork and sculptures in The Ritz-Carlton, Melenia are valued at approximately S$5 million. The massive three-ton Frank Stella installation at the entrance and the pair of Dale Chihuly crystal sculptures that anchor both wings of the building kicks off one of South East Asia's finest collections of modern and contemporary art. The treasures on view include Andy Warhol and David Hockney's exuberant colours, Rainer Gross' geometric composition Henry Moore's restrained monochromatics and the lush botanicals of Robert Zakanitch - to only name a few. It was an iPod guided tour and all free to view. Interesting experience.
One thing that I also found interesting within this hotel was the winding staircase. The stairs are not supported on any pillars whatsoever. This is definitely a work of art on its own complemented by a water feature wall.
Next stop was the newly minted Peranakan Museum. It's a tour of the unheralded Chinatown Heritage Centre where entire sets of bedrooms, kitchens and street scenes from the late 19th century and early 20th century have been faithfully created. This was truly an authentic slice of Singapore's history. I learnt a lot about the Peranakans community. It's amazing how people had so much expectations of Peranakan woman. Females (Nonyas) were trained for married life from young age. They were expected to devote long hours to perfect the art of beadwork, embroidery and also to learn to walk properly. They had to wear funny looking clogs that looked impossible to walk in.
The 'old school' phones were also a interest. You were able to pick up a telephone and hear conversations that were recorded from the 1930s. They were all in english.
I was really fascinated about the 'old school' brandy - Hennessy. Brandy was given as part of a wedding gift to the grooms family, along with fruit and pork. I learnt that the Peranakans had a wedding ceremony that went on for 12 days.
After absorbing so much captivating history on the Peranakans, I went for a little stroll and walked along Clarke Quay. Browsed in the Central Mall and and walked the streets of Singapore City. I spotted many great architectural buildings which included the Police Station, Fire Station and the Armenian Church and not to mention the cute post box. It was a lovely day in Singapore today - the sun was out but it was a little humid.
So it's farewell to Singapore - the mermaid city. Flying with Jetstar tonight to Ho Chi Minh City. I am seated in 1F, woohoo - extra leg room. Short flight, 2 hours and 30 minutes.
As I headed to the airport, I took a few last shots of Sinapore and at check in, my luggage weighed in at 23.9 kg :)
Hello Vietnam.
I got totally ripped off as soon as I walked out of the airport. I was offered a taxi service to my hotel - not knowing it wasn't a metered one. Grrrrrr, and it was too late for me to hop out. I got charged quadripple the usual taxi fare. Oh wells. Just staying the night before I fly out to Hoi An in the morning and actually meeting up with friends. Woohoo and the wedding is on Friday. I'm the maid of honour for Susan & Ryan's wedding and I still have to practice my speech. eeeeeeeek.
Good night world.
XOXO
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