Jim_Iain

11/24/23 Sunrise at 7:00 AM

Time for the Theatre 🎭 SOTA Concert Hall.

As we were going to the Opera we at at 6:00 so we would be on time. We set off using Ride-share again and arrived an hour early. Wandered across the street to the Rendezvous Hotel for drinks.

12/26/2023 Thanksgiving Singapore Style. Well no Gobble Gobble here. Didn't even seem like Thanksgiving. We finally decided to have Turkish for dinner. Arab town is about 2 blocks away and Robert made reservations on their way back from Dim Sum while we went shopping. I broke the remote for my selfie/tripod stick.

The only 2 E-Class we have sailed is Edge and Apex.

Yea.. love the new 5X telephoto. I'm still tweaking the setting. Posting on CC pictures were still coming out black but I think I finally found the setting.

I was able to book Pan Pacific Service Suite for $256 (S$343) US per night via Expedia. I did however book it about 9 months in advance and prepaid. Just in case for the special rate I also bought Expedia cancellation insurance included in the price.

Somehow we got separated in the park. I could see using FindMy App that Iain and Rober took a different turn than us and about 1/2 mile away. My text to and phone calls weren't getting through so finally got a message to Robert. David and I said screw it and used the ride share app GRAB. Grab is a huge rideshare and purchased Uber Singapore so Uber no longer exists here. We had a cab pick us up within 5 minutes. We were planning on doing Dum Sum at Bugis for lunch but somewhere in translation we were taken to a different address. I eventually got a text though to Robert and they were able to catch up. They were soaked to the bone, while we were fresh as daisies sitting sipping Lime drinks. I had to pick some things up at the stores so we are back at the hotel. What's up next ----???? Meeting for cocktails at 5:30 and then to dinner. We found a Turkish place on the edge of Old India . While David and Robert love Indian - we are not big fans. I can just hear all the hisses and boos from many of you. After dinner - of to the Mini - double bill of Opera for Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo's Pagiliacci. I booked this 3 months ago.

Excuse all of the sweaty pictures it is REALLY HOT AND HUMID.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is the first in Asia and the third botanic gardens inscribed in the world following Orto botanico di Padova and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Although the Singapore Botanic Gardens was established in 1859, its origins can be traced to 1822 when Stamford Raffles proposed the allocation of a 19-hectare (47 ac) site for the establishment of a botanical garden on Government Hill (now known as Fort Canning Hill), where he resided.

Tons of construction but lots of art to enjoy along the way In the middle of all the Steel and Glass buildings is a real Gem. An art nouveau building that is my favorite in Sinapore. Parkview Square is an office building and located in the Downtown Core It is situated along North Bridge Road, and is near the major commercial hub at Marina Centre. It is next to Bugis MRT station, Bugis Junction, and The Gateway, and straddles the Rochor Road and Ophir Road corridor.

Had a fantastic sleep last night. After being up since 3:30 AM I was going strong through dinner. We went to bed at 9:30 and put on Jeopardy on my Roku. I decided to take a Melatonin and a Benadryl . As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. I didn't even hear the first question. I was able to sleep until 6:30. We made plans that today we were going to visit the Singapore Botanical Garden - a world heritage site that dates back 150 years. We walked back over to Burgis and caught the MRT - About $1.00 I took the advise of someone on our Roll Call and didn't get a MRT pass. All you have to do is tag on and tag off using Apple Pay or a Credit Card. Another money saving tip - Check on Senior Discounts - Over 60 got us into the Botanic Garden for S$3.00 each vs I think it was S$15.00

11/23/2023 - Happy Thanksgiving! I must be brain dead - My daughter asked me what time it was and I said 8AM tomorrow. She wished me a Happy Turkey day.... took me a minute to realize what day it was. Duuhhhhh

Jennie - Message me - my email is a link in my signature. David said he would really love to reconnect with you. He said he really misses you and lost contact with you. Your ears must have been burning as we were talking about you at lunch an remembering times past. His acceptance of technology has only marginally improved. I'm sure you know only too well.

Iain absolutely hates hights but I usually ask for the highest floor possible. At $470 I hope they include a bottle of Dom with that breakfast.

That's what David and Robert say. They remind us of now we get a taste what they have to do every time they travel.

Been out all day and just catching up. Fantastic pictures. The ship is beautiful. But no match to the picture of the beautiful @Georgia_Peaches How exciting to see the Fire Boats sending you off in STYLE. Only thing you were missing would be streamers throne from the decks... Wouldn't that be fun from a times past.

I will agree with both of you. I think the sweet spot for Suites is S-Class.

Sold....I'm going to try the full menu. I love cold soups and corn is one of my favorites.

LOL -- I was working for Amdahl and was coming down to Install one of our first commuter at Qantas. At that time our production was 1 commuter a quarter and I would accompany them as an On-Board courier with 20,000 pounds of "Luggage". I chuckle when I think those Super Computer had 2 Meg Memory Cabinet that weighed over 1,000 pounds. My daughter wished me a Happy Thanksgiving about an hour ago and I looked at Iain and said What day is it --- He Said Thanksgiving that's why I wished you a Happy Thanksgiving when I got up.... Duhhhh.

David knew immediately. Didn't realize you were cruising so much. We were all such babies when I first met you. Iain's first guess was Jen but said she's not a Ginger. My first guess was Kevin's Wife - Roz wasn't it. So I did meet you on my first trip to Australia. You know exactly who I was talking about ---- Super Twink.

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Our afternoon was kinda quiet. David and Robert got in around 3:30. They are staying at the same hotel. We did have some trouble getting down to their room. The elevators are controlled by your room key and will only let you push a button for lobby or your room. Robert had to meet us in the Lobby to bring us up to their room. We each later got a duplicate key and swapped so we can get to each other's floor. We met and caught up and then back to Bugis Center. We picked up some nibbles and wine at the Grocery store. We had to give David a big ribbing as he accidentally bought a $68.00 bottle of wine. He thought the label said $10. We all cleaned up after chatting and met again to go to dinner. We ended up eating at a place near Bugis - Chinese Food - it was way to hot for my taste but everyone else seemed to enjoy. maybe we should have realized most of the dishes were FROG.

The worst part is Getting your mind wrapped around it before you leave. After your arrive you think back and say --- It really wasn't that bad.