Sunday, January 26, 2014

One week in Singapore

Sometimes the best ideas are born on the spur of the moment. In December I had been browsing travel sites as we wanted a little winter break but hadn't found anything we liked. Having our first coffee on New year's morning I was reading an online magazine and stumbled upon an article about Singapore. My husband had lived and worked there several years before we met. His commentary "I wouldn't mind going there again someday" got me moving - by afternoon I had booked flights and hotel and off we went two weeks later. 
Great timing actually as we got there just in time to catch all the wonderful decorations and preparations for Chinese New Year. And as 2014 is going to be the Year of the Horse and I am a horse according to my Chinese horoscope I felt very honored.
Singapore is fascinating - the architecture, the mix of nationalities, fabulos museums, breathtaking attractions and all the international shopping anybody might ever want to do .And, even better, all the international cuisines anybody might ever like to explore. And explore we did: Chinese, Malay, Thai cuisine - all those tastes we don't find in Provence. From Hawker Food Courts to beautiful restaurants - Singapore is a foodie's heaven! Have a look  - I am still dreaming!

 Street decorations for Chinese New Year

The little old Merlion and the gigantic new Singapore landmark - somewhat disrespectfully called "The Ironing Board"

Our "canteen" - Maxwell Hawker Food Centre

 Crispy outside, deliciously chewy inside: Oyster Cakes

 Even Anthony Bourdain recommends the Oyster Cakes from this hawker stall

 Green Mango Salad

 Spicy Thai Fish Soup at "Bali Thai" in Katong

 Grilled Cuttle Fish
 
 A German Food Chain "Brotzeit" specializes in Schnitzel and no, we did not eat there
 
preferring the local fare like this beautifully seasoned beef and seafood salad

 or another spicyly delicous soup
 Glass noodles and Chinese Greens

 Mango and Strawberry Pudding
 
 
 Dumplings that are handmade in front of you

 at Din Tai Fung,  the probably best Dim Sum Place in Singapore

Yu Sheng salad that you have to toss with your chopsticks and pile as high as you can shouting "Lo Hei" is a Singaporean Chinese New Year's speciality promising good luck and prosperity

Met this warrior in Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping street

18 comments:

  1. Looks like a fabulous trip and the food looks delicious. Shirley went to a boarding high school in Singapore for either 3 or 4 years. I can't recall for sure. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Michel, when we see each other again we have to swap memories of S'pore with Shirley!

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  2. Barbara, how exciting! I am not surprised you did not eat the "best schnitzels in town." Probably the only place in town and after all, you do not fly to Singapore for schnitzels!! Love your photos.

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    1. Thank you Susan - I don't even eat Schnitzel in Germany....

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  3. Hello my friend/Haven't been around here for long time.I know for sure that you enjoyed Singapore and its food and its clean city.Great blog.Greetings from sunny New Zealand

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  4. i sure would love to visit that place!

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  5. Looks like a great trip. The longest we have been there is for 2 days and all we did was run around to look at everything!! Have a good day Diane

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  6. Yum, yum, yum! So jealous! Looks like you had a super delicious time as I knew you would! :-) Someday I'll visit Singapore again. In the meantime, I need to finish planning our Provence trip. Hope to see you in June!

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  7. Hello my name is Francesca and I'm Italian. I found your blog by chance and I loved it. I have joined your followers. If you go too foul. Thank you. Francesca.

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  8. Wow, Cuisine de Provence! Your photos are really excellent and you have succeeded in making my mouth water!!! We also loved Singapore when we were there last year - for us too, it is just so different and offers so many totally different experiences!! So glad you went ....xxx

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    1. Hello Claudia,
      don't you also just dream of going back asap? But before I go to S'pore again we will visit Istanbul!

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  9. How wonderful. Your husband should be very careful the next time he says I wouldn't mind - sounds like you are a woman of action.:) I love that you took all the pictures of food. It all looks delicious.

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