We stayed at the fantastic Holiday Inn Express a very good choice. Located on the edge of China Town and Clarke Quay. The staff brilliant, facilities excellent and breakfast plentiful with a massive choice. Only drawback the room was a bit small, spotlessly clean though. Fantastic view from the roof with a strange swimming pool.

The Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay – Hotel & views from the roof top.

Gardens by the bay

A real busy day with the iconic gardens by the bay. A really hot 32 degrees so we travelled by underground train to keep nice and cool. A three day unlimited tourist travel card cost 39 Singapore Dollars and gives unlimited travel on buses and underground, and you get 10 dollars back when you return the card. Incidentally Singapore is a clean and safe city so says our cab driver.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel – A must visit hotel, we managed to reserve a table at Ce la Vi restaurant seated at the very edge with fantastic views at a cost (not cheap) but a one off. We had a drink the day before at Lava bar on top but at the other end. Amazing views but everything is expensive. All in all a great place and a must visit.

The famous Raffles Hotel, home of the ‘Singapore Sling’ cocktail. Had to try one, in fact I mixed some myself so my claim to fame is I mixed the Singapore Slings in Raffles Hotel – beat that. Well here’s a picture of the wife with the Concierge:

Searching out the famous ‘Long Bar’ we queued for approximately half an hour before getting in. A strange bar speciality obviously Singapore Sling, each table has a big sack of monkey nuts. I asked where we put the shells, on the floor I was told.

The machine for a Singapore Sling.

I can’t believe how good the flight was for such a long journey. Firstly BA shuttle from Manchester to Heathrow then Heathrow to Singapore. The flight was brilliant, the only problem was BA wanting to constantly feed us. We were both stuffed when we arrived.

Arrived in Changi Airport on time about 3.30 in the afternoon. After travelling for 20 hours it was check in to hotel and straight to bed. Tomorrows for exploring.

Does anyone know the dress code for Arcadia’s restaurants? The way its going I will only have tee shirt and shorts as June needs the cases for her 27 pairs of shoes and 15 handbags.

Well getting ready now spare room full of cases (3 big ones for June and a small one for me) full swing ahead now for jetting off next Tuesday. June’s busy packing I’m busy getting in the way. Greenhouse sorted instructions to Neil on how to water the plants. Written warning to him NO PARTIES when were away. British Airways to Singapore a long flight but looking forward to it.

Arcadia is in Manilla today so we hope everyone’s enjoying the Philippines, it’s a great place. It’s 27 degrees with thunderstorms and rain in Singapore, I hope it improves before we get there, just our luck. Staying at Clarke Quay in Singapore, at The Holiday Inn.

You watch a heatwave will begin at home the minute we get on the plane.

Want to follow our progress? you can find us on the web http://www.juneal.com or click the subscribe button. See you soon. Big Al

Always confusion and stress on embarkation day. I’m staying out of the way. We were first on around 12.15 ish, straight to the Merridian restaurant for the Carribean club lunch with complimentory wine, not a good start half a dozen glasses ofr red. Gotta do it though haven’t yer!

This time we’re in a sea view (no balcony) cabin it’s actually a good cabin on deck 4 cabin number 502 (4502) check out the pics.

Well it’s the usual day at sea after Southampton sp prepared to chill. Chill was the appropriate word as it was bloody fre.ezing. we had a great meal in the Zenith restaurant yesterday. We’re trying the Olive Grove tonight. It’s described as a medditeranean restaurant. We’ll let you know tomorrow. We’re in La Coruna tomorrow.

Were off on our med cruise tomorrow K320 around the med. Om Arvia, we were on her inaugural voyage over Christmas so we’re somewhat accustomed to the ship. We’re staying in the Holiday Inn Express in Hedge End, it’s next to the “Rose Bowl” Hampshire cricket ground. A good choice for overnight before a cruise from Southampton.

Another cracking night out up the road from the hotel at the West End Brewery, not really a brewery just Greene King pub, but a really good one. Two meals and two bottles of Chardonnay under £35 bargain.

Well suitably lubricated and fed, we best stroll back to the hotel for a beer.

Well at last another trip and another blog. So we’re off on a short 13 nights on Arvia. I’m just about ready for it as well. Looked into my porch this morning and this is what I saw!

looks like June is getting ready to go. We’re off first thing tomorrow (

We’ve decided to stop over in Crawley on Wednesday the night before our next cruise. We can meet up with my daughter, grand daughters and great grand daughters and Freddie. were both looking forward to an evening with them all.

It’s a no brainer really as we live so far away it’s the ideal opportunity to meet up for some family bonding and eating n drinking. Were staying in the Holiday Inn near Gatwick then off to Southampton to embark Ventura on Thursday. Looking forward to it all.