Berlin Day 2

Up early and off to the Art Market next to the Museum Island and of course I had to buy some earrings and a necklace. Then we spend a few hours in the Pergamon Museum This holds a reconstruction of the reconstructed Pergamon Alter and other archeological findings from the Near east. it was really impressive and the walls from Babylon were worth seeing. It was then off to the Berliner ensemble Kantine for lunch where you cn eat with the actors from the theatre. we finished off the day in Hackeshe Hofe Market. In the evening we went to the Cafe Gralow, a small cafe for dinner and listen to the Russian singer Anara Churikova. A lovely evening.

Berlin

We arrived in Berlin after missing our plane. So a long day waiting at Standsted! Jenny and Karl met us at Schoenefeld and we travelled to Berlin on the underground. The next day we got up and made our way into the centre of Berlin, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Hackesche Hofe, and the Jewish Museum. We had a lovely lunch of potato soup and the best hot chocolate! We returned to Reichstag and had a tour of the parliamentary chamber and then climb the cupola. It is magnificent!

London

The Tower of London was on the agenda today. There were loads of school children: French, German and English but it wasn't too crowded. We have been before in 1992 but as it was late in the day we didn't get to have a good look at all of the exhibits. Today we spent 4 hours and it was really interesting. The Crown Jewels are amazing and Henry VIII armour impressive. The guided tour was interesting and humorous. More wars but if you like English history then its really worth the visit. The Thames is nearby and the scenery enchanting. Back to Eileen's for several gin and tonics and then we went to the local Greek restaurant for dinner. Off to Berlin in the morning.

Day Four

Met a couple on the underground from Perth who are off to Dublin to visit their daughter who married an Irishman and about to have a baby . Got the underground to Eileen’s house (she is in Spain at a wedding but left the keys with her neighbour). We went to bed for a few hours (getting old!) then decided to walk to the local town and have a look around. So like home but different architecture! Had a beer and gin and tonic at the local. Off to London early in the morning.

Day Three

Our last day in Singapore. Set off to the National Museum and Fort Canning. The National Museum was really interesting with an audio tour (the tour guide went missing) of the history of Singapore. It’s amazing how well Singaporean people have done to build this most amazing country. Against all odds following WW2 they have developed a prosperous country that is clean, well organized but full of colour and 4 different ethic groups living in harmony.

Hot today and very sticky, We walked up the hill to Fort Canning and the Battle Box. This is the underground bunker where Percival made the decision to surrender to the Japanese. Interesting but bit sick of war stories. We then walked down Orchard Road. Not somewhere to go with Robert or when travelling light. An amazing array of things to buy, not cheap but very up market. So we decided to go back to the hotel and have a swim and shower. It was so nice (thanks Gayle for saying to swimmers only take up a small space!) and refreshing. We meet another couple on their way back to England, after visiting Australia and New Zealand, catching the same flight! Off to the airport and hoping to update the blog etc. The MRT is great and so easy but couldn’t get onto the free wireless-not sure why but bloody annoying!!!! The flight was with very good we slept for a few hours and the movies were great, catching up after not getting to the movies for the past year

Day Two

We went to Sentosa Island and it was fabulous. MRT to Harbourside and then a bus to the Island. We hopped on a tram and checked out the lay of the land. There are some great beaches and resorts on the island. We choose to visit Fort Siloso, the Tiger Tower, Images of Singapore and the Cable ride back to Harbourside.
Fort Siloso was really interesting and well worth the hour and a half we spent walking through the different areas. The Images of Singapore was great and gave a historical and interesting perspective of Singaporean culture. The mixture of European, Malay, Chinese and Indian has create a wonderfully rich culture based on tolerance,, harmony with great emphasis on family. The Tiger Tower ride was cancelled due to a pending storm, but it didn’t cancel the cable ride back to Harbourside! It was very daunting with a slight wind and a bit of lightening but a great view of the harbour.
Back on the MRT and a visit to Chinatown. The rain started so we found shelter and had a quite beer. A bit of shopping then off to Little India for a great meal. We finished off the day with a swim and a couple of duty free scotches! A big day but great fun. Lots of people travelling from many different countries. I finally feel like I am on holidays! It’s a great to be foot loose and fancy free for 9 weeks. A different perspective on life and what is important. It’s a big world!

Day One Singapore

Our first day! Good trip and now off to explore Singapore. We explored Little India, just down the road from our hotel. Lots f shopping and restaurants. Next the Botanic Gardens. This is really worth a visit. The gardens are beautiful and the orchids spectacular. Back to Little India and a lovely lunch. We were hot and sticky so cooled off in the pool before heading off to Arab Road on the MRT. The underground is truly magnificent in Singapore –only $34 for a 3 day pass and so efficient, clean and fast. Arab Road was full of life (saw some men smoking a pipe in a restaurant, we were told they were flowers but I not sure that was true!). Dinner was disappointing, we got ripped off but Arab Road is certainly lively and interesting.