AWESOME: A Work Experience Somewhere Oriental, Maybe Exhilarating!: Day 00b: Exploration

Thanks for the patience everyone! I've had a busy week, only just had a chance to process the photos off my SLR.

Enjoy =)

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Sleeping at 1am isn't a bad idea when you're on holiday. But sleeping at 1am, after 4 weeks of (Optometric) Hell and an 8 hour flight... that's a different kettle of fish.

Sunlight woke me up briefly at about 6.30, but I activated the classic "roll over and go back to sleep". We all know how to do that, right? Next thing I know, it was already 8.30 and the sun was fully out.

We took the morning slowly: had a shower, chillaxed, then headed down to the street level about 9.30. Despite having a mental list of things to do (and where to go), I took the others in the wrong direction down Orchard Road. Ooops!

Making the best of a bad situation though - with our stomachs grumbling at having to go on a Long March - we stopped at 313@Somerset and having breakfast at the food court there. Having been to Singapore last summer, I just HAD to get Kaya toast again. If you don't know know what that is: Kaya is a coconut jam found in this region of the world and is a delight. More so if it's smeared on warm toast, covered by a fat stick of butter! :P Not worried about weight nor cholesterol issues ;) hehehehe

My complete breakfast set: Kaya Toast, softboiled eggs and Kopi-O (see below)

Kaya Toast

You're also seeing Michelle's huge slice of banana cake, Andy's peanut butter toast, and Andy... well... he went wild with his soft-boiled eggs that was part of his peanut toast breakfast set. Oh and one last thing: I ordered Kopi-O with the breakfast set. What that meant was that I got a cup of their black concoction that is called Kopi (coffee). Straight.

Normal soft-boiled eggs...

Andy's eggs... (with pepper, soy sauce and attitude!)

Exploring the rest of 313 was next - starting at Level 5 and making our way down 7 levels to Basement 2.

Funny things we saw:

Wandered and stuck our heads almost everywhere, before ending up at the MRT (the metro) Station and buying the EZValue cards. Like in Hong Kong, they're cards which are rechargable and store some value, and you tag-on and tag-off the trains and buses, wherever you go. Just like the myki in Melbourne too.

After 313, we went exploring the nearby shopping centres as well: Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria... more walking. *sigh*. Anyways, here's a few shots to keep you entertained!

Water fountain at Takashimaya/Ngee Ann City

Great Luggage Sale!

One of many Havaianas stores

Lucky Plaza was the next destination. Turns out Sunday is the rest day for a lot of people - crowds of Filipinoes and Indonesians everywhere. Lucky Plaza seemed to be a place where everyone congregated - there were even signs telling everyone "No Standing (for pedestrians)"

Anyways, I did what I needed to do: getting my money exchanged. The websites were right: Aussie exchanges take off 5% off the exchange rate AND charges you a service fee. Singapore Airport exchanges take off about 2-3% and a service fee. At Lucky Plaza - almost no loss off the exchange and NO service fee. Yay!

Next on our to-do list: going to Mount Alvernia Hospital - to test the route and familiarising ourselves. Again... somehow we walked the wrong way AGAIN. This time, it wasn't my fault - the carpark and facilities at Mount Alvernia is undergoing renovations, closing off the entrance I had planned to go by.

Roadside flowers

A short walk later, we entered the Hospital via the main entrance and figured out where to go for tomorrow. We also discovered a free shuttle service to and from a local MRT stop - yay! No excessive bus trips =)

I suggested that we consider heading towards a supermarket: next stop, Plaza Singapura at Dhoby Gaunt. It was 'fortunate' that the bus was heading in that direction, only a few stops away beyond our stop along Orchard Road. Heading into the shopping centre, we found Maccas, KFC, Burger King and other types of food.

Andy and I desired the grease: KFC it was! However... the cheeky bugger needed some balls. Yes - I did say that right, but not the time you were thinking of. He wanted takoyaki balls =)

(Takoyaki balls)

SG's version of an "Ultimate" Burger meal...Mushroom Burger meal...

Anyhows, after lunch we found a G2000, where Andy and I found a few decent things to shop. I got two polo shirts and a pair of casual long-pants... my first pair in recent years. If you didn't already know... I don't wear pants. Again: I did mean it that way :P Hehehehe, I do wear jeans, shorts, and business blacks. Just not casual pants. Hehehee :D

Dinner time soon came around after returning home with the shopping. Michelle and Andy wanted to go riverside: MRT to Raffles Plaza! A few snapshots during the way...

(Yes, an OPSM. No, not my OPSM)

Costume/Comic store at Raffles Place MRT station

From the train stop, we walked along the riverside to Clarke Quay, and explored the riverside shops and stalls for dinner.

(random sign that was still left up...)

(Singapore skyline)

(MICA)

Hooters!

We dined at Renn Thai, a pricey but decent Thai place. I had tried it at a sister branch (BaliThai at Suntec City Mall). The pictures speak for themselves - I don't have to describe how good this Thai place is. =D