We followed recent routine and went for an early morning swim.
The downside, as compared with Dubai, is that we had to share the pool!
The upside is that it didn't matter, as the half dozen swimmers went quite quickly and anyway, the pool is really big - at least four times bigger and twice as long as 'our' one in Dubai. We had a super swim. The ladies' shower also had hot water - hooray!
There was some rain today, but it was mostly in the morning, and just spits and spots - nothing serious.
There was some rain today, but it was mostly in the morning, and just spits and spots - nothing serious.
We took the bus and MRT (metro) to the Botanic Gardens again and felt at home as we rounded a corner to see this sign.
We are also beginning to feel at home with prohibition signs!
We visited the Botanic Gardens when we were here briefly seventeen years ago, so were keen to go again and they were just as good this time.
The whole place is packed with plants from the area, but the star attraction must be the orchids, which have been closely associated with the Gardens since 1859. There are over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids - just fabulous! If you know my photographic habits, you'll realise that I now have nearly two hundred photos of the Botanic Gardens, more than half of them orchids!
Two other highlights were bird sightings - a reddish one that I am still trying to identify and, on our way the exit, a buffy fish owl. We'd have missed it, but a couple of people with cameras were gazing high up into the trees.
Racing at Kranji this evening. That's mostly Dave's baby. I'll just say that I came away over $20 to the good on the betting!
Arrived in Singapore at about 08:30 this morning and took a taxi to Julian & Vanessa's condo. We settled in and dozed a little in front of the television, as neither of us got much sleep last night.
We decided to go to the Botanic Gardens, remembering how much we enjoyed visiting them when here seventeen years ago.
In usual explorer fashion, we took the bus, and all was well until we noticed rain ten minutes before destination. In fact, it waited until we had alighted before the Equatorial torrential downpour set in. We managed to cross the road on a pedestrian walkway over the multi lane highway, but there was no option except to take shelter at the bus stop on the opposite side.
Half an hour later we were still sheltering, it fairly wet, so decided to return to base and give it another go tomorrow morning.
Incidentally, prohibited activities at the swimming pool (which we intend to put to good use tomorrow) include the following:
The bus had this.
Durians are prolific in this part of the world and the name apparently derives from the Malay-Indonesian languages word for a spike, of which the durian has many.
Some people call it the 'King of fruit' while others find its smell repugnant. Wikipedia states:
"The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine and raw sewage. The persistence of its odour, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia."
Just a quick postscript from the airport.
As previously mentioned, we like to get to grips with the various transport systems we come across.
After the debacle of our last metro journey, we decided (encouraged by Marie) to pay the extra Dirham (the equivalent of about £1.20 each) and travel Gold Class.
Well, it was worth it! A much roomier carriage, plush (relatively) seats, specific area for suitcases and patterned silver door, separating us from the hoi polloi. By the time we reached Terminal 3 for the airport, we were the only ones in the carriage!
To add to our sense of self-importance, we are now in the Marhaba Lounge, enjoying refreshment and free wifi.
Funnily enough, we've just seen someone politely asked to vacate his position here, but we're alright!
Returning to the transport topic, the metro signs are excellent, but it seems strange that announcements proclaim, "The train for Rashidiya will arrive at the Rashidiya platform". What's that all about?
It's our last day in Dubai, so we got up early and, instead of a swim, accompanied Marie and Harris to nursery, followed by breakfast at a local hotel cafe. The nursery is a convenient walking distance away and has a great CCTV system at reception so you can check your child has settled in the classroom before leaving the premises, without peering through the window.
Dave and I returned to the apartment to pack and potter, as we are off to Singapore this evening.
I thought I'd leave you with a couple of photos, one family orientated, the other related to Dubai itself.
Harris enjoying himself in the pool.
Three-day-old news (as a thrusting journalist, Dave will not be happy!) of the length of time until Expo 2020.
A lazy day, for me, at least!
Started with the usual swim, and when the lifeguard commented on the cold temperatures, I disagreed politely, and told him that I was happy to be here rather than the U.K. Where there has been snow.
Marie has Tuesdays off work so she, Harris and Dave went for a spin while I pottered and enjoyed some time on the terrace.
Marie had kindly booked tickets for a performance of Cats at the newly-opened Opera House, a splendid building, within close proximity to the Burj Khalifa.
We left the apartment early to walk to the Armani Hotel, which is located at the Burj and has terrace seats at the restaurant, which overlook the famous 'dancing' fountains. They performed twice while we were eating our delicious meal.
We took the short walk to the Opera House, and if it looks splendid from the exterior, it looks double-splendid inside! I was sorely tempted to take a photo of the ladies restroom, but decided it wasn't quite the thing to do!
As some of you may know, musicals are not really my cup of tea, but I have to say, the performance of Cats was spectacular from every point of view. The costumes were fantastic, the set super and the choreography fabulous. I didn't know all of the songs, but Memory was performed beautifully, and everything involving Mr Mistoffelees and Macavity was great.
The show was directed by Trevor Nunn and Dave even spotted him at the interval.
We came across several prohibited activities today and made errors on a couple of occasions!
We always like to make an effort to get to grips with transport systems in places we visit. We've been on the metro on previous visits to Dubai and thought we were back on track after our recent journey with Geoff & Sue.
After the early swim (still no hot water in the shower!) we planned to go to the Old City.
Taxi to Business Bay, the closest metro station, then on to Al Ras.
We waited at the end of the platform as there were fewer people there. It was only as the train approached that we realised this was the location for 'gold' passengers. We, of course, are cheap skates, and had only paid for a 'regular' ticket.
Hurry, scurry to the next train entrance, and in we go. No seats, so as we were standing, I could look around. This is a 'women and children' only carriage, and there are dire warnings for men caught in there. Quick, Dave, get yourself into the adjoining carriage!
Not only that, but no chewing gum, food or drink. 
Later on in the day, we thought we were entering a tourist attraction, 'Heritage Architecture' but could only find offices in the rather touristy looking building with courtyard. Some bloke politely asked us what we were doing and informed us that it was the admin area.
Later again, on our way to the metro for our return journey, we passed some really green grass. A large board informed passers by of all the regulations.
'Sitting on the greenery is prohibited' is clearly ignored!
Despite these official decrees, we had a lovely afternoon in the Old City, wandering around the spice souk, taking a boat trip across the water, watching the boats and particularly at the Sarum Al Hadid museum. This displays artefacts from a site discovered in 2002, going back to the Stone Age. Many of the treasures are on display, although many more are being kept in storage. Having said that, only a small proportion of the site has actually been excavated, so there are likely to be lots more discoveries in the coming years.
