Singapore/Hua Hin Holiday....

Yessongs · February 21, 2023

Went to Singapore for 5 days, 2 hour flight from Bangkok. Flew Thai Airlines, all flights on time and pricing was fairly decent.

Was here in 2004 on a business trip, had not been back since. Pulled into the “Sofitel Hotel” at the city centre. Breakfast buffet was in the price of the room and was outstanding. This is a nice place, you walk outside the hotel, take a right into the “Guoco Tower” building, take the escalator upstairs and the MRT is right there as this is one of the stops at this location. The underground MRT here is outstanding, was free all of the Chinese New Year week-end to everyone. Takes you to about 75% of all the great locations in the city

Weather was typical of South East Asia, warm and humid, but at this time of year, certainly comfortable. Places we visited were “Sentosa” where they have a Casino, The Sea Aquarium, Universal Studios and The Hard Rock Hotel/Cafe and a ton of speciality shops. Other places we visited were the Gardens By The Bay, The National Orchid Garden, The Cloud Forest ( where Avatar is now the main feature) The Supertree Grove and Chinatown. All nice places.

But, by far Singapore shines best where you can go down to the “Harbor Front” and enjoy dinner from one of many restaurants there and look at the city from a perspective that is just absolutely breath taking at night time.

Singapore is a must see for anyone who wants to make the journey to South East Asia.

Hit Hua Hin Beach for 5 days. Stayed at “Vana Varin” resort. Have stayed here about 5 times now. Room made of Clay and shaped like an Igloo. Very quiet area, breakfast buffet is included. You feel like you are in the “jungle” a bit as the birds are singing when having breakfast over looking the lake. Out a bit from downtown, 20 minute drive to all the restaurants and night market. The Seafood here is still very good and like picking what I want from the fresh catch selections. Had dinner one night out in “Cha Am” that was nice.

Did a few things, mostly chilled by the pool, hit the beach where the temp was around 86 degrees, 30c. Drove to the caves where wifey was a bit “apprehensive” about going in. I did not feel like lugging my DSLR around, so did not bring the camera that particular day. About 30 minutes into it, we walked back. Good cardio.

Hit a few things downtown, Bintibaht is dismal these days. Wifey is kind of “naive” to the selling of blunts now here. She asked me “What’s that smell?” as we walked around Bintinaht. I thought I was at The Rolling Stones concert back in 1976, there was some serious “toking” going on at all of the outdoor bars. I was looking for "Jeff Spicoli” from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Just a quick note here, I cannot believe the number of “Europeans” here that are completely sun burned, baked to a crisp, that are STILL sitting/laying in the sun here on the beach! One guy honest to God, looked like he has Skin Cancer, he was blistered beyond belief and was still out there….amazing.

Hua Hin is still a good place to get out of the city for a few days.