Bethany In The Big City : singapore

9.3.16

Shipwrecked on Private Islands!

The last few days of the holiday passed in a magical blur. Each beach we went to was more beautiful than the last, but nothing could compare to the private island we reached on the penultimate day.

It took two days of sailing to reach an island that is completely deserted, largely because it is too far out for the swarm of tourist boats. We dropped anchor and immediately jumped into the translucent water. We didn't need snorkels as the water was so clear that it was like swimming in an aquarium, with fish completely surrounding us.

Eventually we swam to shore and stretched out in the shallows enjoying the sunshine. It really was a magical moment.

As we adventured on our days were filled with every more wonderful sunsets, fresh-as-can-be coconuts, on-board fitness sessions and even the occasional game of ring of fire.

The final afternoon was bittersweet as we were not yet ready to give up the wonderful Jimmy Blue and become accustomed to a life on land. The only solution was to take as many pictures as possible of what can only be described as the heartiest of crews!

Over a final dinner we shared our favourite moments, mapped our route and set in motion plans for the next trip, which includes me learning to dive...eek!

A short plane ride later and AN and I enjoyed a final afternoon in Singapore before flying the long route home to London. We had heard that Singapore was in the midst of preparing for the upcoming Grand Prix so we headed track side to see if we could find some action. I was delighted to see the party had already started and AN, well, he was just focussed on the cars!

We finished the holiday with a little treasure hunt, to an ice cream shop mr ON had provided directions for!

A perfect two weeks with the very best of people!

Mood - filled with wonderlust

Pin It Now!

20.9.15

Singapore - Part 2 - Pulau Ubin

After a day a the beach on Sentosa, we were definitely in need of a cocktail, or three! Papa T had made dinner reservations at the Fullerton Bay, a beautiful old colonial style hotel right on the bay, overlooking the Marina Bay Sands and the famous Singapore skyline.

I didn't take any pictures inside, but we had a delicious meal, rounded off with a trio of crème brûlées and some mini macarons.

The next day, in complete contrast, AN and I headed to the other side of the country....yes Singapore really is that small! We took a little chug-chug boat over to the small island of Pulau Ubin, just off the Changi coast. Pulau Ubin is said to be a glimpse of what Singapore used to be like, before it became so developed and cosmopolitan.

The island is basically all uncultivated jungle with a police training academy and a few little shacks serving up the catch of the day. With no roads, the best way to explore was to pick up some bikes and head into the jungle!

We followed the winding trails deep into the hot and humid jungle, passed the mangrove swamps and giant monitor lizards. The sounds of unfamiliar insects were making the trees hum and the heat of the day felt even hotter under the canopy of giant leaves above us.

We came to a small path leading off the main track, flanked with colourful flag poles, that was too tempting to leave unexplored. The path led to a little temple on the banks of the murky river that had been ceremonially dressed up in colourful prayer flags as far as the eye could see.

In the middle of the jungle this little show was so unexpected and just a little bit magical. It was also completely deserted, so we wandered around taking far too many photos and making some new turtle-like friends.

We eventually found ourselves back at the little seafood cafes and feasted on plate after plate of the freshest fish and noodles, before heading back to the mainland.