At 2200, last night, we did our 'moonlight flit' and headed to Dubai airport. After checking in, we had several hours to experience the delights of the duty free shops here. Certainly Le Clos, the wine and spirit outlet, must be front runner for the most expensive duty free here. I can't imagine casually buying a bottle on 1902 Petrus whilst passing through an airport.
Our flight left on time and our route took us across the Arabian Sea to Mumbai and from there across central and southern India and out into the Andaman sea. Then passing over northern Sumatra we headed down through the straits of Malacca the n to Malaysia and finally a short loop over northern Java before arriving in Singapore
The flight was good and we arrived on time at Changi Airport. We were seated in row 42 on the Emirates flight which weirdly, on their A380-800, is right at the front of the aircraft. On arrival, we were first off the plane and therefore one of the first in the immigration queue. We did have a bit of a wait for our bags, but we we're still out of the airport and on the Hotel Shuttle Bus within the hour. The Shuttle Bus, by the way, is good value for money, S$9 each from the airport to the hotel door.
The traffic was pretty bad in town and we were the last of 4 couples that was dropped off. We also had a heavy tropical shower en route, but it had stopped by the time we got to the Royal Plaza on Scotts Rd, almost at the junction with Orchard Rd.
Check-in was quick and simple and we got a room on the 8th floor. It's very large and quiet.
After sorting our bags out, we headed out of the hotel to find an early dinner nearby. With their excellent reputation, we headed for a food court, and chose Food Republic underneath Tangs department store. After a quick wander around, we settled on Korean food. Lynn had a Rice Kimchi whilst I was slightly more adventurous with Bimbimbap! This was seafood and vegetables cooked in a stoneware pot with a fried egg on top. Both dishes also came with a soupy broth and some chilli cabbage and tiny fish fry. It might not sound good, but believe me it was tasty with exception of the broth which was a bit insipid.
After dinner, we walked back to the hotel, but I wanted to stretch my legs a bit after the long flight.
For over 30 years I've been wanting to return to the food hawkers market at Newton Circus here. Since the rest of the city has changed so much, I wondered if it still existed. It is about 1km from here and so I walked there wondering what I would find. Thank goodness, it was almost exactly as I remembered it, probably over a hundred small stalls selling delicious food. I sat and has a large Tiger beer and watched the customers, almost entirely local, enjoying dinner under the stars. Needless to say, we will return in the next day or two to eat here.
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