Our last trip through Singapore was foiled by a Taylor Swift concert. We didn’t want to pay the expensive hotel room charges so we ended up just flying in, spending a day and flying out. A long layover. This trip we splashed out and stayed at a hotel that has probably caught the eye of many a visitor, the Parkroyal Collection Pickering. We were there for three nights on our way back to Europe.
It’s certainly eye catching with the lofty spaces and masses of greenery.One office tower on the right, and two hotel blocks.A view from the 5th floor where the gym, pool, and garden walk are. The pool was closed for maintenance, but a shuttle took us to the sister hotel 5 mins away to swim.It’s a unique and beautiful building. Looking across the plants to the view.Lounging in the bird cage.The garden walk.All the shade and plants kept the temperature down.The view from our 13th floor room.Shower view!The shower was on a corner with a wraparound view.The breakfast buffet – a little chocolate donut treat.View from the swimming pool area of the other Parkroyal hotel. The famous Marina Bay Sands hotel in the background.Hawker center lunch. Yes, I did splash broth on my nice new t-shirt. And yes, I did get it out.This was on Sunday, so many folks enjoying lunch and buckets of beer.Going up the staircase at Fort Canning.More Sunday picnicking.We followed the signs to the tree tunnel to find an Instagram Tik Tok hoard.All waiting for this shot. I do appreciate how collaborative folks are for their photos, all politely taking turns. But I still don’t really understand why. Further down the tunnel- empty. I need some practice, this was much cuter on the young lady I stole the pose from.The greenery in Singapore is impressive.We missed this greenery and shade in Saigon. Singapore has been all in on greening since the 60s, and it shows.The metro is good and the buses are easy and fast. I so appreciate the shaded bus stops. All cities should have such comfortable bus stops.The bike share system has bikes with child seats.We didn’t see a lot of folks on bikes, the transit is very good, but I think bicycling has a lot of potential in Singapore.Singapore does great messaging on the metro. How to get along on board.Our favorite – Hush-Hush Hannah!One last sweaty hike on the new rail corridor path.Who doesn’t love repurposed rail bridges?At the old quarry – a Black Capped kingfisher. Look at that beak.Our final lunch of soup dumplings before heading to the airport. The Jewel at Changi Airport Singapore. The obligatory waterfall photo.And back to France! Happy travelers with a great friend, Hannah.
It’s always a culture shock to leave Asia for Europe, and we’ve been feeling more fragile and worried about not only our country, the US, but the impact of recent political decisions in the US on the rest of the world. We know that people everywhere want similar things; peace, prosperity, the ability to live and raise a family, and have a home. Our standards for prosperity may differ around the world, but we all deserve the opportunity to have that peaceful home. That is feeling at risk right now. But we pedal on.
Next adventure- bike touring again in France and Spain.
After decades of living and working in wonderful San Francisco we gave it all up to travel the world. Not owning a car allowed us to save money and live hyper-locally. Now we’re living around the globe. Follow along to see where we are and what cats I manage to pet.
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Less Car, More Life 