Iluvcruising2

Spent 3 nights in Guangzhou last year on a short holiday.

It feels like a commercial city. Baiyun mountain was full of locals. Go early if you want to go, otherwise the cable car going up gets really crowded.

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See the huge crowds as we came down.

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Shamian Island was worth a visit. Easy to get to.

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Not forgetting their most famous shopping street. I called it Up Down 9 STreet -

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I was in Langkawi a couple of years ago. Yes, the cable car was pretty fun.

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Very soon, there will be no more Uber in Singapore (or South East Asia).

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/grab-buys-ubers-south-east-asia-business-uber-gets-275-stake-in-grab

SINGAPORE - Singapore-based Grab on Monday (March 26) confirmed that it has acquiredUber's South-east Asia operations for an undisclosed sum - putting an end to recent speculation about the merger between the two ride-hailing giants.

If it helps, this is the official tourism website.

http://www.visitsingapore.com/en/

I think Fairmont gives you the most flex. The standard of the hotel is good and the location is fantastic.

The hotel is connected to Raffles City shopping center.

I personally found the Temple of Heaven more iconic.

[YOUTUBE]70Dr65WnUKk[/YOUTUBE]

Summer Palace was a big place. Very spread out.

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Have a great cruise. Enjoy YC!

No, Cheri ... I just accepted it at the time. I learned afterward that, just because it says "from Galaxy restaurant menu" doesn't mean it's from the restaurant itself. It clearly states "from the menu".

 

Funnily enough, we had the mixed grill from the Tex-Mex restaurant menu in YC once and it was even better than what we'd ever had in the Tex-Mex venue, itself. That was on one of the Fantasia-class ships that didn't have a Tex-Mex onboard, so even the ingredients weren't stocked on the ship specifically for Tex-Mex!

I've never had the Tex Mex at the speciality restaurant. Here are my 2 "Tex-Mex" experiences, both in the YC.

MSC Preziosa (2015)

[YOUTUBE]WVIorE3MnW8 [/YOUTUBE]

MSC Meraviglia (2017)

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While dining in the YC restaurant, I always try their house wines.

We have sailed in the YC twice, first on board the MSC Preziosa 2015 and more recently on the MSC Meraviglia, in late 2017. Both times fabulous.

This was the drinks list in the Top Sail lounge. Wide selection of items included. Yes, unlimited watter. In your cabin, there is also bottled water, which the butler will gladly top up. Plus all the stuff in the mini-bar is complimentary too.

[YOUTUBE]tiVfmfJlTRQ[/YOUTUBE]

On the Meraviglia, we found out that drinks in bars OUTSIDE the Yacht Club area were also included. These included all the bars, up to one star on the menu. Two stars not included. For example, see this menu from the British Pub. Most of the drinks were one star. Those with two star (the more premium stuff), will not be included.

[YOUTUBE]zPIfVuWyh1s[/YOUTUBE]

Another place to get drinks would be the Pool Bar. I got a Tiki Mule. You can also see the menu.

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Enjoy!

You can download it now to save some time later. I did it on board because I only found out about the app while on board.

You have to connect to the shipboard Wifi for the app to work on board. I didn't know this, and for a short while, I was wondering why my app didn't work as I was connected to mobile data.

[YOUTUBE]kGwBYwSCstk[/YOUTUBE]

We had Lobster tail in the Yacht Club, for one dinner out of the 7 nights.

THis video from our YC Experience on board the MSC Meraviglia, Dec 2017.

[YOUTUBE]Hh5nCchzstE[/YOUTUBE]

This video from YC experience on board the MSC Preziosa, Dec 2015.

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The Lobster tail on board the MSC Meraviglia looked better.

Still following. Nice video from the ropes course and great views- don't think I would like the heights, so thank you for showing it.

Thanks for your comment.

It was scary, I admit!

Day 2 DInner in the Yacht Club. Tex-Mex.

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After dinner, we were walking around the ship and saw this Chocolate Octopus.

[YOUTUBE]CvFoCn2woRo[/YOUTUBE]

So, tonight, the plan was to go to the Cirque Du Soleil show. This show had a dedicated theatre, which we found. The setting is relatively small, which makes for a more intimate setting. So here is a video showing you excerts of the show, which lasted about 40 minutes. This was our first time watching any Cirque production. It was an interesting experience. Plenty of sound effects, lighting effects, acrobatics, dancing, all very well put-together. Experience Cirque Du Soleil @ Sea on the MSC Meraviglia!

[YOUTUBE]sSva_-mdsjM[/YOUTUBE]

Never used the wrist band. I only discovered the app on Day 4 or 5 of my 7 day cruise. Haha. Interesting. I made a video of it.

[YOUTUBE]kGwBYwSCstk[/YOUTUBE]

We will be in Singapore a few days in 2019, arriving February 19. We hope to stay in at the Ruggles Hotel but I understand it is closed at this time, and could not find a date when they will begin taking reservations. Yes, I'm a planner. :)

 

From Singapore we go to Australia and New Zealand. I am not a good flyer. Five hours and I've had enough. Any suggestions on creative routes to shorten the flight time?

 

Thank you for posting your videos. :)

Which part in Australia are you heading to? Singapore to Sydney is about 8 hours. Frankly 8 hours is still ok. If you want a more comfortable flight, use air miles to redeem business class tickets on Singapore Airlines. Or check out low cost carrier FlyScoot. They have a premium cabin that gives more legroom and won’t break the bank.

Loving your review, hope posting photos starts to work again for you soon!

Thanks. Glad you liked the review so far.

Royal Plaza on Scotts is very popular if you want to stay near Orchard Road. I made some videos of the surroundings before.

Oasis Downtown Hotel (which is near Novena MRT Station) is also good.

There is a new Courtyard by Marriott, also near Novena MRT, if you prefer the Marriott chain.

For IHG, Holiday Inn Express has a few establishments in Singapore. Holiday Inn Express at Clark Quay has had good reviews, and the Clark Quay area in the evenings is very nice.

Google moves to new office in Singapore to house growing team

The US tech giant started operations in Singapore with only 24 people in 2007. The team has since grown to 1,000, and is its fastest-growing office in Asia Pacific.

The office is now located at the Maple Tree Business Park, near the Alexandra Retail Park (nearest MRT is Labrador Park on the Circle Line). Check out the cool signage, which reads Google from one angle, and Welcome from another angle. I took this video when I went there for a walk.

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Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/google-moves-to-new-office-in-singapore-to-house-growing-team-7686728

Some bumboats. This is Changi Point, near Changi Ferry Terminal, where you can take those bumboats to Pulau Ubin, an island off Singapore.

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Back to the mainland, this is a cheap Sushi restaurant at Clementi Mall (linked to Clementi MRT station). Each plate cost $1.50. Very awesome food.

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Same place, Clementi Mall and Clementi town center. Starbucks recently renovated their cafe, and now they have introduced Starbucks Reserve. Also show you the skyscrapers coming up. More and more public housing.

[YOUTUBE]lvXIKWJ3edA[/YOUTUBE]

A new store in Clementi Mall basement (where there is plenty of food). They call this place "Wok Hey". Check out the cook preparing fried rice a la minute. Nice.

[YOUTUBE]jA2Yb31sQxc[/YOUTUBE]

I know this thread is a few years old but just wanted to say how nice the videos are.

 

Keith

Thanks for your encouragement and kind words.

I continue to make videos of my country as I go about my daily life. Hopefully it is useful to visitors too.

Spotted this huge yellow man painted on the floor, as I waited to cross the road at Orchard Road, near Somerset MRT station.

[YOUTUBE]9MgiJEb6M5A[/YOUTUBE]

Collins is a chain store selling Western food. This outlet was at Orchard Cineleisure complex basement, near Somerset MRT station. The prices are reasonable, and the set lunch deal is pretty good! I had the mixed grille.

[YOUTUBE]dSLHLJuBM2Q[/YOUTUBE]

A large hawker center at Our Tampines Hub. (near Tampines MRT station). I had their Nasi Lemak!

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Time to update this thread with more videos.

Food - Jia Xing Sarawak Kolo Mee. A chain store.

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Thai food, at this restaurant called Aroy Thai, located at Novena Square (Novena MRT station)

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Azamara Journey, docked at Singapore Harbourfront Cruise Center. Take note, only the smaller ships will dock here.

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In Singapore, we can get torrential rain! Stay indoors when it rains like this. Footage from car camera.

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Bought a new computer for one my kids, as it was the beginning of the school year.

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Welcome to Singapore! My country!

I've only been to the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

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Jumping ahead to the day that we were in Barcelona, we decided to try the Himalayan Ropes course, which was at the aft of the ship. This is how the ropes course looked like as a spectator.

[YOUTUBE]rufPs1x-OYE[/YOUTUBE]

And now, I go on the ropes. My point of view. It was scary. I started to scream (for effect). You get good views though. Don't drink and climb!

[YOUTUBE]Lyo5sAXsHhI[/YOUTUBE]