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Singapore!

Well, folks. It is nearing the end of January and 2015 is off to a pretty incredible start. It has been busy, but more importantly, the last few weeks have just been so much fun. So fun that I have decided I need to make note of them, record the memories, keep them somewhere safe. However, I still have a lot of adventures from last year that I have yet to share or record. 

 So here are some thoughts on our trip to Singapore, which was last October.

View from Robert and Paul's 
First of all, we got to stay with Jake's mom's cousin-Robert, and his partner Paul. Robert and Paul were amazing hosts and we told them they should charge people for their tours. They showed us what we needed to see, taught us interesting facts about Singapore, cooked amazing food, took us to restaurants with delicious food, and provided such great conversation for an entire week! We were so lucky to be able to stay with family while visiting a new country, so far from home.
Looking down from the 39th floor
Robert and Paul's place is amazing! Jake had told me about different places they have lived over the years and how cool they decorate. Our bed was right next to a window overlooking all the city lights, at 39 floors up! Like I said, we were spoiled staying there for a week and certainly had a different experience than most people who visit Singapore on our kind of budget.
Singapore is a jungle
One thing we learned, and quickly realized, is that Singapore is now the #1 most expensive city in the world. Google it! It recently passed Tokyo.
Sentosa Island- Arriving by cable car
Singapore is often referred to as Garden City, which you can understand just by glancing at the pictures. From the moment we arrived in the airport we were impressed by the gardens- even indoors! 
Jake the "snake harmer"

No thanks

Little India
Singapore has a very cool China Town, Little India, and Arab Quarter. It was cool to see a mini version of each of these places. Asian food is usually my favorite (depends on the day ;) so I was in heaven trying all of the different foods that are so accessible in Singapore. 
Garden City- makes sense
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
For one night, we stayed at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which was certainly with it! The pool is what has made it so famous, and it was quite impressive! It was closed for filming for a few hours while we were there, but we still got to spend most of our time in the pool. After pay for a room in that place, you certainly want to get your money's worth at the pool. My sister and friends were quick to inform me that the hotel was on The Amazing Race just after we returned from this trip. 
Sound and light show at Marina Bay

With Robert & Paul! :)

Pool view at the top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel 
Gardens By The Bay- so impressive!  
Gardens By The Bay
Singapore is the cleanest, most efficiently-run, user friendly, city I have ever been to. I was continually impressed. The airport procedures were flawless. The public transportation was clean, quick, and had cartoon characters posted all over that helped remind you to use your manners in public! Ha! I thought it was genius. Turns out it is a part of their Graciousness Programme- enough said.

We got to stay on the 45th floor! 
Delicious food from all over the world 
We had a wonderful week exploring Singapore and spending time with Robert and Paul. We would both go back and I think we would both live there too (if we could ever afford it! ;) Singapore is certainly worth a visit! 

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