Monday, November 27, 2006
...um
As I said dreaming of a Pompey win......
still no good at Cricket....
late and not much time to write
so more competitions for Darren the only entrant..
A) guess sho left what where...
B) who is Rudolf...?
might be a while before we are back in touch ... Samoa and all that..
speak when we do
love to all :-)
still no good at Cricket....
late and not much time to write
so more competitions for Darren the only entrant..
A) guess sho left what where...
B) who is Rudolf...?
might be a while before we are back in touch ... Samoa and all that..
speak when we do
love to all :-)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Down Under
An early start when Sue returned from the airport with her mum and brother and so we took advantage of Karlin's offer and got a lift from the ferry (we opted out of going dragon boat racing with her) and made our way to Darling Harbour. Avoiding MacDonald's (after all 100% Australian Beef is only a trademark and doesn'y refer to the content of the burgers), we had breakfast and went to a museum on convicts and early immigrants. The nearest we found was a Robert Beale!
Enough of museums we wandered down to the harbourside and had a nap in the Botanic Gardens and then wandered along to Circular Quay to the ferry to Manly. Yes Mnaly Ocean Beach had surfers and beach volleyball courts so photo number 2 was taken, (actually multiple photo number 2's taken by a friendly guy who lent his volleyball for the purpose). We relaxed and watched a few games, had beer, fish n chips and returned to Sue's for a chilled night via ferry, bus and a lift. We have tried seeing too many tv screens showing the cricket although it has to be said we are doing better now then the first few days! Off to bed soon, dreaming of a Pompey win. Well done Leeds & the Hammers of course. Tomorrow ...... is another day.
Enough of museums we wandered down to the harbourside and had a nap in the Botanic Gardens and then wandered along to Circular Quay to the ferry to Manly. Yes Mnaly Ocean Beach had surfers and beach volleyball courts so photo number 2 was taken, (actually multiple photo number 2's taken by a friendly guy who lent his volleyball for the purpose). We relaxed and watched a few games, had beer, fish n chips and returned to Sue's for a chilled night via ferry, bus and a lift. We have tried seeing too many tv screens showing the cricket although it has to be said we are doing better now then the first few days! Off to bed soon, dreaming of a Pompey win. Well done Leeds & the Hammers of course. Tomorrow ...... is another day.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Singapore part C... G'day Sydney
After another nap we headed out to go to Boat Quay. We walked along beside the Singapore River and the Happy Hours seemed to get better as we got nearer Boat Quay. A diversion under the Fullerton Hotel and we saw the other Merlion which spurts water out of its mouth. A sign that said Happy Hour - get drunk here attracted us into a Lebanese bar and we had a pleasant chat to the 'first day' waitress whilst we had our drinks. Walking back we admired the various random sculptures - kids jumping in the water, big bird - feathered type, traditional river side merchants - that sort of thing. We ate a Monty's (Monty was original President of PFC you know!) Calamari and Muscles in a spicey (chilli - lets face it they have chilli with everything) tomato sauce. Another happy hour - we found one that was till 10pm - a jug I believe, not sure as I think I have failed to mention another happy hour or two.. Anyway a good night was had by all and Boat Quay seems to be that little bit cheaper (apart from Harry's the bar where Nick Leeson (Barings Bank fame) used to drink).
Guess what - more Premiership repeats on the telly & a bit of Champions League.
Friday - went for a morning swim in the pool, otherwise there wasn't much point in chosing the hotel which had one! Packed and left bags down stairs before embarking on a walking tour to Raffles and the walk we had done the night before so we could see it by daylight - not because we couldn't remember it! The walk was delayed and interrupted by frequent showers this was the worse day yet for rain - lucky we weren't at Samosa! A final drink in the brewery (Dave opted out of trying the 7.4%) and off to another food cook, well cafe for more random local cheap food.
MRT back to the airport - how come it was rush hour again? Visa hassles, blog writing etc and Bye Bye Singapore, one off the list, and G'day Sydney.
We were met at the airport by our lovely friend Sue who explained that things were rather disrupted due personal reasons but she is still happy for us to stay and whilst she has popped out to sort a few things we have eaten, showered, put a wash on and I have caught up on the blog.
And thanks to Anna for this fascinating fact.... neither the kangaroo or emu can walk backwards and that it why they are on the Australian flag!
Off for lunch at Bondai - Big Question will there be a volleyball court?
Guess what - more Premiership repeats on the telly & a bit of Champions League.
Friday - went for a morning swim in the pool, otherwise there wasn't much point in chosing the hotel which had one! Packed and left bags down stairs before embarking on a walking tour to Raffles and the walk we had done the night before so we could see it by daylight - not because we couldn't remember it! The walk was delayed and interrupted by frequent showers this was the worse day yet for rain - lucky we weren't at Samosa! A final drink in the brewery (Dave opted out of trying the 7.4%) and off to another food cook, well cafe for more random local cheap food.
MRT back to the airport - how come it was rush hour again? Visa hassles, blog writing etc and Bye Bye Singapore, one off the list, and G'day Sydney.
We were met at the airport by our lovely friend Sue who explained that things were rather disrupted due personal reasons but she is still happy for us to stay and whilst she has popped out to sort a few things we have eaten, showered, put a wash on and I have caught up on the blog.
And thanks to Anna for this fascinating fact.... neither the kangaroo or emu can walk backwards and that it why they are on the Australian flag!
Off for lunch at Bondai - Big Question will there be a volleyball court?
Singapore part B
Hi All,
Now in Oz but more about that later.... back to Singapore.
Whilst I was at the airport on the internet writing the blog, Dave was on other free internet screens leaving the default page as 2davescabins.com - how is that for advertising!
After the bus tour we had another nap. Amazing what ever time of day it is whenever we put the telly on there seemed to be football on especially Premership, so Darren thanks for the footie updates, keep them coming but I've been lucky enough to see the Pompey V Watford goals multiple times in Singapore but are unlikely to see any footie in Samoa.
Felt crap after the nap but once out and about with a beer inside us we were much better. We wandered around and drank in the expensive Clarke Quay area by the river. Guess we had a good night I don't remember...!
Thanks to Anna & Dan we weren't/aren't going to get lost wherever we go. On each flight we have an envelope with fascinating facts about the country and a small card (sort of Paddington Bear style - "Please look after this bear") reminding us where we are staying.
Now one of the fascinating facts for Singapore was that it had the first world toilet conference there - a fact that of course would fascinate me. And these leads me to ramble in a sideways direction for a sentence or three. There are so few loos at Heathrow - its terrible. Gatwick you can play how many toilets are there between here and the gate probably 3 so miss this one and I'll still be ok for at least two options. Heathrow we headed to the gate and ended up back at the one near the pub we'd been in! Singapore - I won't miss those signs that say "Mind the step, Squatting ???" (I just saw the word squatting and walked on so I can't even remember the sign properly!) Kelly perhaps that is where you should practise instead of the shower! And finally automatic flushing - only twice did I manage to be ready before it decided to flush - have they got it in for me. At least we are now in Oz with the good old dunnys.
Back to Thursday in Singapore....
We got a taxi to Mount Faber and a cable car - I was brave - through an office building and onto Sentosa Island or Samosa as I liked to call it. It is a bit commercial and is described as their beach resort and not totally our thing but it was there so we did it. We went up the Merlion (big statue of a lion's head on a fish body) and learnt about the history of Singapore and the lion. Good views of Singapore City and all the shipping, naff free gift of a strap with Merlion attached not in hotel bin.
Next stop Underwater World where we stroked various fish in the touch pool, saw a pair of otters do a small display, and walked under tunnels of fish and passed tanks of fish, sea horses, crabs etc. Favourites was some big fish which looked prehistoric and had some suitable name to go with it, angels - organisms with no eyes that flapped their wings and looked like angels and eels type things.
We wandered down to the beach where (attention all DVC people) we found some volleyball courts. We couldn't find a game to join, but had a couple of volleys across the net and took photos for the 'volleyball courts around the world' part of the web site. Free bus to the Dolphin Lagoon and we watched the 'at no extra charge' Dolphin show and guess what - the otters turned up to show us how to recycle. They must be very good at the recycling as the ones at the zoo did it too.
Enough of commercialism and a bus back to the main land and to one of my favourite places - a food court where we had bargain dinners - random beef again and free green thai curry from a bloke who comes over to Chessington each year and goes to a cheap sale in London each year. Anyone heard of it?
On the subject of comments etc - Congratulations to Darren who is currently winning the competitions. He isn't necessarily close but he is the only one who has guessed and as they say you have to be in it to win it.
Off for a shower now... so Singapore part C when I get a chance. :-)
Now in Oz but more about that later.... back to Singapore.
Whilst I was at the airport on the internet writing the blog, Dave was on other free internet screens leaving the default page as 2davescabins.com - how is that for advertising!
After the bus tour we had another nap. Amazing what ever time of day it is whenever we put the telly on there seemed to be football on especially Premership, so Darren thanks for the footie updates, keep them coming but I've been lucky enough to see the Pompey V Watford goals multiple times in Singapore but are unlikely to see any footie in Samoa.
Felt crap after the nap but once out and about with a beer inside us we were much better. We wandered around and drank in the expensive Clarke Quay area by the river. Guess we had a good night I don't remember...!
Thanks to Anna & Dan we weren't/aren't going to get lost wherever we go. On each flight we have an envelope with fascinating facts about the country and a small card (sort of Paddington Bear style - "Please look after this bear") reminding us where we are staying.
Now one of the fascinating facts for Singapore was that it had the first world toilet conference there - a fact that of course would fascinate me. And these leads me to ramble in a sideways direction for a sentence or three. There are so few loos at Heathrow - its terrible. Gatwick you can play how many toilets are there between here and the gate probably 3 so miss this one and I'll still be ok for at least two options. Heathrow we headed to the gate and ended up back at the one near the pub we'd been in! Singapore - I won't miss those signs that say "Mind the step, Squatting ???" (I just saw the word squatting and walked on so I can't even remember the sign properly!) Kelly perhaps that is where you should practise instead of the shower! And finally automatic flushing - only twice did I manage to be ready before it decided to flush - have they got it in for me. At least we are now in Oz with the good old dunnys.
Back to Thursday in Singapore....
We got a taxi to Mount Faber and a cable car - I was brave - through an office building and onto Sentosa Island or Samosa as I liked to call it. It is a bit commercial and is described as their beach resort and not totally our thing but it was there so we did it. We went up the Merlion (big statue of a lion's head on a fish body) and learnt about the history of Singapore and the lion. Good views of Singapore City and all the shipping, naff free gift of a strap with Merlion attached not in hotel bin.
Next stop Underwater World where we stroked various fish in the touch pool, saw a pair of otters do a small display, and walked under tunnels of fish and passed tanks of fish, sea horses, crabs etc. Favourites was some big fish which looked prehistoric and had some suitable name to go with it, angels - organisms with no eyes that flapped their wings and looked like angels and eels type things.
We wandered down to the beach where (attention all DVC people) we found some volleyball courts. We couldn't find a game to join, but had a couple of volleys across the net and took photos for the 'volleyball courts around the world' part of the web site. Free bus to the Dolphin Lagoon and we watched the 'at no extra charge' Dolphin show and guess what - the otters turned up to show us how to recycle. They must be very good at the recycling as the ones at the zoo did it too.
Enough of commercialism and a bus back to the main land and to one of my favourite places - a food court where we had bargain dinners - random beef again and free green thai curry from a bloke who comes over to Chessington each year and goes to a cheap sale in London each year. Anyone heard of it?
On the subject of comments etc - Congratulations to Darren who is currently winning the competitions. He isn't necessarily close but he is the only one who has guessed and as they say you have to be in it to win it.
Off for a shower now... so Singapore part C when I get a chance. :-)
singapore
we are killing time at singapore airport on the free internet but i don't like the keyboard much so sorry for the errors! We would have had more time if it wasn't for a slight problem - we didn't have visas for Oz so had to go and sort that out! oops! luckily we got them.
So thanks to Keith who gave us a lift to the airport on Monday. First competition - guess how much our check in luggage weighed.... any guesses?
Competition 2 - what was the first thing Margs thought she has lost?
Competition 3 - who was the last person to text us before we left the uk?
The flight was good and we had a cosy seat for 2 at the back of the plane and as it was just behind a row of three we had plenty of room beside us by the window to make it look like home, with bags, jumpers, papers etc all over the floor. I saw that I only liked one of the main courses so the nice airhostess reserved one for me :-) Free beers and wine too :-) 80 films to watch I managed 1, a kids film of course, and lots of sleep. Dave watched several films...
Pirates of the Carribean 1 & 2, Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, Storm Breaker. (7/10, 4/10, 4/10, 7/10).
Arriving at Singapore it was hot. we caught the MRT (tube) to the hotel and were able to check in early. We dumped our gear and went for a walk to China town, saw an old Hindu (?) temple and ate some satay skewers and saw some of the Chinese sights.
We overslept a bit on our afternoon nap but still managed to get a MRT and bus to the Night Safari where after a show we went on atram ride to see nocturnal animals. Although how nocturnal is a giraffe if it only has 2 hours sleep and how useful would that be?
More unusual was the fact we didn't have a beer or wine all day - we didn't even open our complimentary honeymoon bottle of wine!
Wednesday - we got the cheap hop-on/hop-off bus and went on a tour round the city. First stop was The Botanical Gardens, but having got Dave there I failed rather miserably and we went to thebEvcolution Section which was mostly rocks and then how the first plants arrived. Not a flower in sight!
Next stop was Orchard Road, famous shopping area, but you know how much we hate shopping. We only went to book ourselves on the free Xmas lights bus tour, shame we never did it after all! We found our first food hall. Two meals chosen from pictures of what you are ordering for about 4 quid. Both had beef - very tastey.
Back on the bus and off to The Raffles Hotel for Singapore Sling in the Long Bar where you eat monkey nuts and throw the shells on the floor. By the end of it there were 14 sparrows and a pigeon inside! We wandered around abit and took the required photos before getting back on the bus and going to Little India (or was that before Raffles? forgotten already!). lots of aromas of spices and colours.
Another nap and then a night out in Clarke's Quay.
Gate is now open so that's it for now....
part 2 of Singapore soon.
we are killing time at singapore airport on the free internet but i don't like the keyboard much so sorry for the errors! We would have had more time if it wasn't for a slight problem - we didn't have visas for Oz so had to go and sort that out! oops! luckily we got them.
So thanks to Keith who gave us a lift to the airport on Monday. First competition - guess how much our check in luggage weighed.... any guesses?
Competition 2 - what was the first thing Margs thought she has lost?
Competition 3 - who was the last person to text us before we left the uk?
The flight was good and we had a cosy seat for 2 at the back of the plane and as it was just behind a row of three we had plenty of room beside us by the window to make it look like home, with bags, jumpers, papers etc all over the floor. I saw that I only liked one of the main courses so the nice airhostess reserved one for me :-) Free beers and wine too :-) 80 films to watch I managed 1, a kids film of course, and lots of sleep. Dave watched several films...
Pirates of the Carribean 1 & 2, Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, Storm Breaker. (7/10, 4/10, 4/10, 7/10).
Arriving at Singapore it was hot. we caught the MRT (tube) to the hotel and were able to check in early. We dumped our gear and went for a walk to China town, saw an old Hindu (?) temple and ate some satay skewers and saw some of the Chinese sights.
We overslept a bit on our afternoon nap but still managed to get a MRT and bus to the Night Safari where after a show we went on atram ride to see nocturnal animals. Although how nocturnal is a giraffe if it only has 2 hours sleep and how useful would that be?
More unusual was the fact we didn't have a beer or wine all day - we didn't even open our complimentary honeymoon bottle of wine!
Wednesday - we got the cheap hop-on/hop-off bus and went on a tour round the city. First stop was The Botanical Gardens, but having got Dave there I failed rather miserably and we went to thebEvcolution Section which was mostly rocks and then how the first plants arrived. Not a flower in sight!
Next stop was Orchard Road, famous shopping area, but you know how much we hate shopping. We only went to book ourselves on the free Xmas lights bus tour, shame we never did it after all! We found our first food hall. Two meals chosen from pictures of what you are ordering for about 4 quid. Both had beef - very tastey.
Back on the bus and off to The Raffles Hotel for Singapore Sling in the Long Bar where you eat monkey nuts and throw the shells on the floor. By the end of it there were 14 sparrows and a pigeon inside! We wandered around abit and took the required photos before getting back on the bus and going to Little India (or was that before Raffles? forgotten already!). lots of aromas of spices and colours.
Another nap and then a night out in Clarke's Quay.
Gate is now open so that's it for now....
part 2 of Singapore soon.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Nealy there - sort of packed and organised and now trying to get this blog to work before we tell everyone the name!
M (hours to go)
M (hours to go)
