Singapore

Jules had to spend a week in Singapore for work during the school holidays so I decided to take the kids over and catch up with cousin Patrick and Linda, his fiancee.  It was the first time I've visited Singapore since I left after 5 years living there 30 years ago.  It goes without saying that it has changed enormously but I was delighted to find a few old haunts.  I walked into Holland Village Shopping Centre and was transported back by the smell, there were parts of Little India that I remembered and we visited the Goodwood Hotel to try and find the Megève cake which was a favourite of my mothers - sadly they don't make it any more but we found 2 other delicious cakes to compensate.  China Town was a huge disappointment - almost every shop sells cheap tourist rubbish although we did find some good food and Sentosa was a completely new experience and not one that I'd repeat in a hurry but then rides and water parks aren't exactly my thing!  

It was amazing to catch up with Patrick and Linda and they were incredible with the amount of time they spent with us and the fantastic authentic places they took us to.  It is true to say that Singaporeans have 2 national pastimes: shopping and eating.  I tried to do a little bit of shopping but wasn't hugely interested - Kate Spade handbags aren't exactly in my budget with our current renovation.  However, we all excelled at the eating part.  The kids were incredible and ate absolutely everything put in front of them including all manner of dumplings, noodles, meats and even chilli stingray!  Tom was very proud to master his chopsticks skills which reached their zenith when he was able to eat peanuts with them.  

There were more places I'd like to visit and fortunately I'll be back there in February for Patrick and Linda's wedding.  Can't wait!  

 Lunch at Satay by the Bay

 Gidney family shot in the Super Tree Grove

 Tess with chocolate cake at Patrick's condo

 Tess with a local dessert - sweetcorn on top of syrup flavoured shaved ice

 Tom holding a peanut

Tom holding a spring roll - he ate the entire plate full

 Lunch in Chinatown

 Cakes at The Goodwood Hotel

Tom, Lenka and Tess with the Super Tree Grove behind