Work and Play

Well it was mostly a work day for me.  A site tour of the hotel (I am reviewing it) and then a meeting with Alex, my contact at Global Lingo (a company I do writing and transcription for).

So, first the hotel - Wangz Hotel - a fabulous boutique hotel in a quiet and rather historic part of town. Only 5 minutes from the MRT (subway) station, on numerous bus routes, and with its own shuttle, it is very accessible and not far from those skyscrapers.  But far enough away to feel chilled.  The hotel houses an impressive art collection and each room is quite different.  Attention to detail is impeccable and the flair of the family ownership is apparent - they love nature.  Flowers and animals abound in the artwork.  Earthy tones are beautifully composed.  Little settings and vignettes are cleverly tucked away around every corner.  The rooms have their own unique colour schemes. Bathrooms are huge and there are many special touches. Spacious and beautiful each room speaks understated luxury.  Being a circular building (and once owned by a church) the spaces are interesting.  It is clever, unique and demure with a nice class of guest.  Upmarket yet not extravagant.

Brett explores Chinatown and Bugis Street while I work !!!! Haha - is this work?  After my hotel tour, I make it to Cecil Street to meet with Alex right on time (better timeliness than I can expect/anticipate at home!!)

It turns out Brett and I are both in the same food court at the same time - I was lunching with Alex while Brett was somewhere over there lamenting the queues and didn't eat.  It's where the workers meet.  I didn't encounter queue headaches.  Perhaps that was the difference - do it with a local. Except Alex is from England!  Well he's been here two years and, actually ... it was quite busy!  My noodles were good and it was nice easy connection with the guy who coordinates a lot of the work I do - for organisations large and small across the globe. That's another story! Actually, it's lots of stories, most of which I can't share. Indian wastewater, Korean TV ... the things you learn!

I then spend some time trying to sort iPad issues.  This takes me through the business district and then to a shopping plaza.  Could have been St Lukes.  An uneventful escapade, yet an unsuccessful one.  I am now trying to work it out myself on the hotel computer as I type this.  Brett is showering.  We will dine at the hotel tonight and the Michelin-star equivalent chef is going to prepare something special for us!!!  Nice.

This afternoon, after our rendezvous back at the hotel around 3pm, we walked around the local heritage area.  Reminded me of a cross between Eastern Europe and South America, with art deco buildings, well kept yet just a bit beautifully shabby.  The sun was trying to make its way through the haze, and skyscrapers towered in the background, making Asia shine through.  We found a rather lovely bar that reeked of France, so we called in for a wine (or two) to prep us for our next stop!  And then on down some more lanes and we find another bar, with happy hour.  A Cosmopolitan was in order.  Back to the hotel - via the very un-touristy route of private backyards that Brett inadvertently took us through. Walking through flapping washing, men sitting drinking, personal stuff here and there, people there and here - it felt intrusive, but at the same time it wasn't. The people just looked at us and smiled as we stepped over their stuff, walked past toddler's socks pinned to railings and dodged various bits of washing.

So it was another most excellent day, different for both of us.  Brett enjoyed a massage (well, it didn't sound too enjoyable with bits cracking, a woman standing on him pulling arms this way and that - but it ironed out the crinks).  I put a name to a face (Alex) and got all the info I needed for my hotel review. And saw enough in between to create a nice day. And, yay, sorted my iPad out.

To the airport tonight, to board Air France, to take us to Paris.

Observation of the Day:   Quirky random announcement on Singapore subway, said so earnestly. ... "If you feel unwell, stay at home ... Or wear a mask"