Saturday I took the MRT along Orchard Road and started at the Forum shopping centre which is full of kids' clothes shops but mostly too young for my girls - great for the 2-6 year olds with lots of very expensive Italian frillies - it's a shock when DKNY for kids looks cheap by comparison. I resisted the temptation to try on some turquoise, soft, buttery leather slides in D&G despite the encouragement of the sales assistant. Note to self: shop assistants in designer shops in Singapore are not snooty and do not look at you like they think you are up yourself for even passing the doors. Spent a while admiring cute bags in Prada - sort of Raoul Dufy-esque. Very pretty. Must ask friends going to China next month to look out for the copies for me.
I did buy a hand bag in Che Che - I think it's a New York label - which I am happy with.
I met M for lunch and she took me off to the jewellers where she had been considering some ear-rings. I got seduced by a pendant in coloured sapphires. As I handed over my credit card I reminded myself that my insurance money is imminent from the great heist and I deserve it but it was scary just the same. The delightful shop assistant added my bag to the tax free refund which was very sweet of her.
Last night we went to dinner at my friends, Sandra and Peter. They live in the penthouse flat, 20 stories up. It's an older style apartment with big rooms and balconies all round. We had a bbq on the roof with geckos running up the walls. Sandra guides at the museum so is very knoweldgeable on SE Asian art which was fascinating. They bought a big screen and they show movies up on their roof top. I've known her since I lived in the same apartment building in Hong Kong. The weather was perfect: warm and balmy with a light breeze but I was exhausted. I'm reminded how I get jet lag going to Perth and that a small time difference is harder work for me than a big one when I travel to Europe and the US.
Sunday morning I went back to the jewellers alone since the ear-rings I had bought had such tight clamps that they pinched my ears - my ears are pierced but these have both posts and clamps. They loosened the tension in the spring and they are now great. Then I walked back down Orchard Road. I spent a while in the Kinokuniya bookshop. What an amazing place. You can check on a little terminal at the entry if they have the book you want in stock and it prints a little slip with its location. They have the most amazing collection of comics and graphic novels including an enormous selection of manga comics. They have (being a Japanese store) the most amazing stationery collection - the kind that makes you think your life will be instantly organised if only you have 6 different coloured folders and pens. And the most beautiful art, interior design and garden books. I had to exercise restraint and remind myself how heavy books are in a limited luggage allowance but I was very impressed. I bought Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks, a New Zealand comic artist.
I eventually got down to Little India where I wanted to buy some fabric but by that time it was so hot and so crowded and my legs were so tired I just sta down for some delicious Indian vegetarian food and gave up shopping. I did have a fabulous pedicure to soothe my tired feet. It cost me sing$60 and lasted for 90 minutes which I thought was cheap.
Sunday night I caught up with a work colleague in the 70th floor bar of the Swissotel. I think it was called Equinox. My pal had told me on a clear day you can see both Malaysia and Indonesia but this was not one of them. The waitresses looked identical and we pondered if it was like that Seinfeld episode where they wonder if the waitresses are all recruited for their large breasts but it turned out they were the owner's daughters. Then we did what you do in Singapore, yes Stef, we ate chilli crab. My friend was recklessly wearing white linen but she didn't let that stop her.
Monday and Tuesday were work but on Monday night we had dinner at the terrace restaurant at the Beaufort Hotel on Sentosa. It was so beautiful sitting on the open terrace with torrential rain crashing down around us. It looks like a fabulous place to stay.
I walked a lot. I looked more than bought but still got some lovely things. I ate delicious food. it was fabulous and I love visiting Singapore. I'm thinking about whether to take the kids up there this winter. I know they'd love the night safari which I didn't do this time but is one of my favourite Singapore things.
I met M for lunch and she took me off to the jewellers where she had been considering some ear-rings. I got seduced by a pendant in coloured sapphires. As I handed over my credit card I reminded myself that my insurance money is imminent from the great heist and I deserve it but it was scary just the same. The delightful shop assistant added my bag to the tax free refund which was very sweet of her.
Last night we went to dinner at my friends, Sandra and Peter. They live in the penthouse flat, 20 stories up. It's an older style apartment with big rooms and balconies all round. We had a bbq on the roof with geckos running up the walls. Sandra guides at the museum so is very knoweldgeable on SE Asian art which was fascinating. They bought a big screen and they show movies up on their roof top. I've known her since I lived in the same apartment building in Hong Kong. The weather was perfect: warm and balmy with a light breeze but I was exhausted. I'm reminded how I get jet lag going to Perth and that a small time difference is harder work for me than a big one when I travel to Europe and the US.
Sunday morning I went back to the jewellers alone since the ear-rings I had bought had such tight clamps that they pinched my ears - my ears are pierced but these have both posts and clamps. They loosened the tension in the spring and they are now great. Then I walked back down Orchard Road. I spent a while in the Kinokuniya bookshop. What an amazing place. You can check on a little terminal at the entry if they have the book you want in stock and it prints a little slip with its location. They have the most amazing collection of comics and graphic novels including an enormous selection of manga comics. They have (being a Japanese store) the most amazing stationery collection - the kind that makes you think your life will be instantly organised if only you have 6 different coloured folders and pens. And the most beautiful art, interior design and garden books. I had to exercise restraint and remind myself how heavy books are in a limited luggage allowance but I was very impressed. I bought Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks, a New Zealand comic artist.
I eventually got down to Little India where I wanted to buy some fabric but by that time it was so hot and so crowded and my legs were so tired I just sta down for some delicious Indian vegetarian food and gave up shopping. I did have a fabulous pedicure to soothe my tired feet. It cost me sing$60 and lasted for 90 minutes which I thought was cheap.
Sunday night I caught up with a work colleague in the 70th floor bar of the Swissotel. I think it was called Equinox. My pal had told me on a clear day you can see both Malaysia and Indonesia but this was not one of them. The waitresses looked identical and we pondered if it was like that Seinfeld episode where they wonder if the waitresses are all recruited for their large breasts but it turned out they were the owner's daughters. Then we did what you do in Singapore, yes Stef, we ate chilli crab. My friend was recklessly wearing white linen but she didn't let that stop her.
Monday and Tuesday were work but on Monday night we had dinner at the terrace restaurant at the Beaufort Hotel on Sentosa. It was so beautiful sitting on the open terrace with torrential rain crashing down around us. It looks like a fabulous place to stay.
I walked a lot. I looked more than bought but still got some lovely things. I ate delicious food. it was fabulous and I love visiting Singapore. I'm thinking about whether to take the kids up there this winter. I know they'd love the night safari which I didn't do this time but is one of my favourite Singapore things.
oh i am so proud of you :) i'm glad you got some chilli crabs in. yay! sounds like a fine time you spent there. my 3 weeks home will definitely fly by. so many things to do....something i never really cherished while i grew up there. sigh.
rest up dear!
Posted by: stef | Thursday, 11 March 2004 at 10:29 AM