And now to see the Gardens By the Bay in daylight. Last night we paid $3 each for a return shuttle from the entry to the centre of the gardens and today we took a driverless car for $5 each. It was so cool, the track had been set with an algorithm and the car had sensors to stop or go around obstacles. We were driving on the same path as the shuttle had the night before and people were walking as well. The car would slow down stop or veer left or right. We did have a man with us who pressed the remote control to start it and the rest of the way he just stood with his back to the road talking to us about the car and the gardens. Being the only ones in the car meant that we could ask lots of questions.
At the centre we entered the glass dome gardens and they were very cool in both temperature and scale of awesomeness. I was surprised in both of the domes at how many of the plants are plants that we can grow in New Zealand. The flower dome was very pretty and preparations were being made for the Chinese New Year celebrations coming soon. The other dome was more tropical with a 35 meter waterfall and was several stories high. All of the water for the gardens is collected in rain reservoirs and the power is from solar panels on the top of the domes. The whole place is a scientific and technological genius! Cooling systems, water collection and purification, eco systems and solar power generators.
The sky walk runs between the super trees giving a bird’s eye view of the park. Ranging from 25 to 50 meters high it was quite an experience. The pathway is a tiny bit see through but not scarily see through. However an English guy slowly passed us with his feet placed wide and arms outstretched he said that he was terrified of heights and didn't know why he was doing this. He tentatively stretched out towards the handrail and quickly clutched it. Poor bugger.
Lunch was had in style at the top of one of the super trees. We had thought that we would get something light because we were going out for dinner but you have to grab these opportunities when you can. Don't you?
I had a delicious soft shell crab and Lance sizzling Vietnamese steak, both were very good. Dessert, yes dessert, was fresh mango, sticky rice and a wonderful coconut cream sauce for me and Lance had a coffee creme brûlée. When I asked our very charming waiter where the toilet was he said to go around to the right and it was in the corner. I did wonder about that as we were in a circular building so where were the corners. Tucked away was a nice clean toilet with a huge statue in it. Felt strange having this man in the loo with me.
We separated on the MRT so that Lance could have a nap and I could go shopping. I really think that it was Lance's cunning plan to do the Singapore part of the trip after the cruise because anything that I tried on was bursting at the seams!
Three weeks earlier I had booked the restaurant Ce Le Vie online. It is on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands, right on the surfboard part that sits on top of the three towers. So we got ourselves gussied up in more formal attire and took a cab. The place was crawling with people! And I did expect the drop off bay and lobby to be a bit more oppulent. At the lift we were stopped at security and they said that we needed to buy a ticket $25 to go to the top. We told them that we were going for dinner and they said that we needed to queue with the 12 million others. No we have a reservation that has been confirmed! And they let us up. We could have been telling lies! White robed people were everywhere. Not like monks or anything but people in their hotel robes and slippers coming and going to the huge infinity pool. We were not allowed to enter that area as only hotel guests had entry. Judging by how many of white robes were buzzing in and out I'm not sure that it would be a particularly pleasant experience.
Up in the Altitude bar we managed to score excellent seats to enjoy a mojito and the sunset. It really was quite special and the people watching was great. In fact there were some more people in robes but they actually were monks and their robes were orange.
Inside the restaurant we were placed in a centre table which was a little disappointing as I had requested a table with a view. Lance asked the waitress if we could change and mentioned that we had requested a view. She apologised and said that the tables were for 'club' members. Next thing you know we were whisked away by the maitre de and placed at a table with a view. The hot, tight but formal clothes just may have done the trick.
Dinner was divine. I started with tiger prawns with an avocado mango salsa and Lance had sushimi followed for me by salmon poached in lemon oil and set in the most delicious coconut cream sauce with crumbled something a rather on top. Lance went for a rib eye steak and we had a couple of sides that were equally as great. Alcohol was expensive as was the meal but this was a once in a life time dinner and we loved every minute of it.
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