After a bit of rest we try again. This time I’ve downloaded the Grab and Zig (local taxi) apps. Neither works. Grab can’t find a driver. Zig just gives me a “cannot connect to server” error. We head out to the taxi rank out front to try our luck.
One pulls up shortly. There’s someone in front of us, but taxi man doesn’t want to go wherever they are going—Singapore taxis *love* to cherry pick fares—but is happy to take us the short ride down to the Singapore Flyer.
Well. Sort of.
“Oh. You shouldn’t go there today,” he says. “It’s cloudy. You won’t see anything. Go tomorrow instead.”
Oh. Right…
We are still trying to decide what to do when he drops us off there and suddenly we are out of the cab.
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It starts to rain. The decision is made for us as the ticket counter is closed. They have suspended ticket sales due to the imminent storm.
Right. What to do? The rain is really settling in now. Too heavy to walk anywhere. Plus we optimistically left without the pram because we thought we could taxi everywhere so walking is doubly out of the question. Back to the taxi rank and we wait. No taxis. After maybe 30 minutes we eventually get one and head over the river to the Marina Bay Sands. At least it will be dry.
By this point we are all grumpy, tired and hungry. But of course all the restaurants are full. Food court it is then. Heaving. As in can’t get a table heaving.
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We pay S$34 for two plates of Chinese food that looks nice, tastes ok, but is cold. Not sure what the deal is there: do people here like to eat cold food?
By this point it is almost 7:45–in an attempt to salvage the evening we head up to level 4, above the food court, where you can see across to Gardens by the Bay and watch the light show from a distance. It has stopped raining by now.
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After the light show finishes we walk along the boardwalk above the shopping centre and stumble across Spectra: a light and water show on the river. Kids love it, even if the view isn’t the best from up here.
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Right then: let’s stay for the 9pm show and watch from the river level.
Back into the shops to find ice cream. The canal has a very Vegas vibe…
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Love the water feature though:
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Ice creams secured (S$30 for three small ones), we are back out to see the show again.
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If takes nearly an hour to get home by the time we find a taxi rank and a taxi.
Ok. Must do better tomorrow. Lessons learnt:
- No more taxis.
- Don’t eat at food courts.
- Always take the pram.