09-06-08 Singapore 
Finally, immediately after the doors are closed, the plane began to move (to limit the costs of airport, the airlines''low cost''trying to spend as little time as possible handling). Indeed, the prevailing stormy sky made me fear an incredible takeoff. Furthermore, we learned the day before the tragedy that struck the Air France flight linking Rio to Paris. According to the initial assumptions, the aircraft could have been struck, which would have caused a breakdown in controls. Was all he was most reassuring when considered we had taken place in an A320 (aircraft orders fully electric) and the airport was surrounded thunderstorms ... But takeoff was normal and the most rapidly, we were above the clouds. Like any company
''low cost''self-respecting (and who does everything to keep the price floor!), We had no right service (free) for 3 flight hours. But having to choose between a $ 35 ticket per person without services or $ 250 with a glass of orange juice and a sandwich, we had opted for the temporary fasting!
Towards 21h30, we asked the wheels in Singapore Changi Airport. Descended on the track of low-cost terminal'',''we went through the terminal or we had a thermal scan (H1N1 oblige!) And then we spent without immigration terminology problems. For those following the saga of the passport they stamped on a page already busy, which always left me a blank page. Bags on the back, we took a bus to rejoind metro station to the airport, the latter we leading city in the place we had booked a hotel.
Towards 23:00 we landed the subway without having any idea of what look like the place. Finally, we were very close to the Malay Quarter. The atmosphere was a little surreal, with people everywhere, especially men, who were sitting was one of the many street restaurants open to the four winds. We could easily have been in India. The temperature and humidity were stunned to urban sherpas we were. After seeking our way and have attracted the attention of many people, we found our hotel booked by internet. Indeed, Singapore a city is rather expensive (compared to many places visited) and prices can be drastically more interesting when the reservation is made online. We put our bags in our room and went downstairs to eat the Indian in the street before going to bed.
The room is air conditioned and quiet, waking the next morning was delayed. Around noon, we finally left our hotel to visit the city. The heat was overwhelming. The subway, he, acted as refrigerators, which did not fail to make me sick (a good sore throat for several days). The first area we visited is the business district, the alone or are real tricks.
Singapore is one of those cities whose name is dreaming, like Venice, New York, Paris, Cairo or Varanasi (but all for different reasons). Personally, we expected to find a city like Hong Kong has, with its hundreds of skyscrapers and concrete continuously. But to set aside the area of finance or are dozens of laps (almost less impressive than the center in Montréal), the city we found was large with large arteries and its buildings widely separated other, with green parks and flowers everywhere, and particularly well maintained. The Life takes place naturally, just like in the movie''The Truman Show.'' The city-state is nicknamed''The Fine City,''which can be translated as''good''city but also (and especially!) As''the city''with tickets. Indeed, the regulations are strict and non-compliance is promptly punished by a fine. For example, smoking in prohibited area costing $ 1,000 Singapore (around $ 700 ie, 500 euros). The fleet was also surprising. All cars are new, or almost. Indeed, a law prohibits the movement of cars over 5 years (with exceptions). Suffice to say that you are better to pay and secure your Bentley or Ferrari if you do not want to lose too much money!
Another point that attracted our attention is the pervasiveness of public health messages. Indeed, everywhere, there are opinions as to the importance of handwashing, personal hygiene, the risks of transmission of infectious diseases. I'm sure there would be many things we should look to remind some people they have an important role in maintaining public health.
Continuing our discovery of this city''model'', we joined the Colonial district (around the town hall), attesting to the rich history of this strategic position, both géorgraphique, Merchant Policy. We also visited an exhibition which traces the national assembly the foundations of this democracy. Interesting fact: in order to ensure a fair representation of all cultures that make up the city-state, all the candidates obtaining a position as an MP should be part of a voters list displaying at least 6 representatives of minorities. Thus, the intermingling of ideas and taking into account those of others are required to be elected.
Outside, all along major boulevards, municipal employees were busy installing a huge gantry cranes which were installed huge floodlights. After having sought the reason for so much activity, we realized that it was the preparations for the F1 Grand Prix to be held in September and takes place at night in the streets of the city. Unlike Montreal, which owns a track full and permanent, the device must be installed in Singapore before the race and after uninstalling it to make the city Mr and Mrs everyone (like in Monaco). In any case, they do not skimp with the means!
While the heat was unbearable to walk outside, we made a stop in a McDonalds refreshing to have a sundae (I know, is not very strong, but it's so good!). And by the merest chance (it's not true!), The McDonalds was in a mall nearby and dedicated to electronics. Obviously, for many people, Singapore is synonymous with ... electronics (it does not rhyme, but that's what's funny!). But think again. Obviously, I had long studied the issue on the Internet before arriving (if we had been in a very advantageous spot prices, we would certainly have made some e-shopping!). But as many blogs and forums had mentioned, and contrary to popular belief (which was based there is a ten year), Singapore (like Hong Kong) are no longer the place to buy electronics. Prices today are the most interesting ... in North America! Sure, you can purchase items from the''gray market'', but then you have to do without any warranty and remedies for failure of your unit. Therefore, if you want to buy cheap electronic and officially, that the U.S. and Canada as it happens.
Then, crossing the majestic Opera Singapore shaped durian, we walked toward the ferris wheel in Singapore, the big sister of one of London. Here she is pas moins de 165 metres de haut, soit la hauteur de 42 étages. Elle domine un plan d'eau artificiel tout proche. Justement, dans ce secteur, la ville est en pleine transformation. On y construit un complexe pharaonique (pas moins de 50 grues travaillent ensemble sur le chantier). 3 immenses tours (3 hotels de luxe) seront chapeautées par un immense tablier ou se trouveront piscines, jardins et autres activités de loisir. A leur pied, un gigantesque cente d'achat. Le tout entourrant un bassin artificiel isolé de la mer par des portes géantes afin de controler le niveau de l'eau. La vue donnera d'un coté sur le centre ville, et de l'autre sur la lagune artificelle gagnée sur la mer.
De retour vers le centre historique, nous nous sommes extasiés quelques instants devant l'hotel Fullerton, qui a été construit dans l'ancienne poste du meme nom. Un imposant et majestueux batiment blanc du début du siecle dernier qui a été réhabilité en 2000 pour donner naissance au plus merveilleux hotel de la ville, en témoignent les prestigieuses autos stationnées en avant de l'entrée... Puis nous avons longé les berges du canal, avec son enfilade de bars et de restaurants nichés dans des batisses historiques. En déambulant ainsi sur les quais superbement aménagés, nous avons tranquillement changé de quartier pour nous retrouver dans ''quay side'', ou les berges ont la aussi été données au habitants en putting at their disposal moults bars, restaurants and clubs where people can both have a drink after work that partying until the wee hours of the night in the trendiest discos in town.
The night had fallen long ago and our legs were exhausted, we took the metro back to our neighborhood, a few stations. To change a little food, we ate Indian. What we confirmed that Indian food is outside India, even cooked by Indians, does not taste the same thing in India!
Friday, June 5, we left our hotel a little earlier than yesterday. Our first stop was in Chinatown. However, after seeing Chinatown ... in China, we found it a bit bland. Especially since it is particularly tourism and it is really active in the evening. Then we returned to the quay side to side''to''take a boat rides for visitors to the center channel. Thus, we sailed close to an hour in the downtown, along the banks all provided between residential buildings and recreation. Particularly charming ...
As tired to walk far in the heat of the after-noon, we returned to rest at the hotel. Sylvie took the opportunity to some reservations on the Internet. The night we ate Chinese stalls that were down in the street.
Saturday morning, we began our visit on the island of Sentosa, connected to Singapore by a small Skytrain. The island is mostly dedicated to leisure. Several''''luxury resorts are located there. A section of the island is the subject of a residential development with upscale marina (we all know: when you're rich, you have a boat!). Another work is underway to install a Universal Studios theme park''''(perhaps for the''Disneyland''consurrencer Hong Kong!) And the largest aquarium the world. Finally, there are also several tourist activities to entertain people and tourists. Our first activity was therefore a''tower''Seagway, this small electric vehicle with 2 wheels on which it moves her body leaning forward or backward. We fell in ecstasy before the little vehicle that greater use could solve many problems of displacement, pollution, and space in our Western societies. Then we were taking place in a nacelle that rotates around a turn, giving us an excellent view of the famous Malacca Strait (strait between Singapore and Malaysia Indonesia, and by which all vessels moving liaising between Europe and Asia, several dozens of ships per day). Then we visited an attraction telling the story of the city, with among others his release from the British occupation. Then we went sledging on a concrete runway for several hundred meters, as at Mont-Tremblant or Chamonix. The day passed quickly. Very fast. Thus when one takes pleasure. Late after-noon, so we are left filled to the nearby town. After having strolled a bit in the huge shopping center or the skytrain arrived, we returned to our neighborhoods.
Sunday matin, nous avons quitté notre hotel en fin de matinée. Nous nous sommes dirigés vers la Mecque du magasinage a Singapour: ''Orchard road''. Il s'agit d'une rue de 2 kilometres de long entierement bordée de centres d'achat. Qui plus est, nous étions a Singapour en pleine période annuelle de soldes! Nous avons donc passé quelques heures a nous promener d'une batiment a un autre. Dehors, des milliers de philippines étaient rassemblées sur les trotoirs. Tout comme a Hong-Kong, il s'agissait des ''nannies'' (les nounous en français) qui ont congé le dimanche (il faut bien que les parents s'occupent de leurs enfants au moins 1 journée par semaine!). Elles se retrouvent donc autour des centres Buying or she come to hunt for bargains among girls.
the evening fell, we took the bus to visit another area well known in Singapore: Little India''.'' We asked the driver or down. But as they approached the area, we quickly found the atmosphere of Mumbai or Delhi. Thousands of Indians around, talking, eating, drinking, gesticulating ... A human tide and an air of social disorganization in a society usually so polite. All in good humor. Fearing a knee-jerk reaction to our experience a bit brutal (6 months in Asia, it does enjoy the quiet!), We quickly resumed a bus direction of our hotel. It was our last night in Singapore. But an email from Expedia (from whom we bought our return ticket to New York) necessitated a call: a major change had to be provided by the carrier (Air China). After more than half past one on the phone, we learned that the flight of 26 was canceled and we were transferred to the flight 27. Super. The company changed our dates and everything goes ... However, we were offered to cancel without charge. But if we cancel the tickets were équvalents now more expensive (that's why we bought our tickets last August!). Brief. Air China is closed on weekends, we would call back later. Not all that reassuring!
The next morning, June 8, we have set our alarm clock to get us out of bed. After 5 days of inactivity, we gave our bags on the back. Some subway stations later, we were in the place where the buses were leaving for Melac, Malaysia. We bought our tickets and 11:00, after having had time to have lunch one last time in this city''favorite,''we're soaring up to 4 hours away.
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