September 3rd, 2017 – Hiroshima, Japan: Miyajima Island

A perfect day trip from Hiroshima City is a visit to the sacred Miyajima Island. While the island is most famous for its near-domesticated deer population and  “floating” torii gate, Miyajima has several additional attractions, including Mt. Misen, a beautiful, red, 5-story pagoda, and a vibrant shopping area. Miyajima is only accessibly by boat (approximately 4 USD round trip for a ferry trip). I started my tour at Itsukushima’s large torii gate, but since it was low tide, I decided to press on and return at the end of the day. This particular spot, as you can imagine, is swamped with tourists. As you walk from the ferry landing, a path takes you through a shaded road lined with souvenir shops and restaurants. Miyajima is famous for their oysters, and these are served at almost every corner! I found a great spot named  “Miyajima Coffee” and stopped there for a delicious ice coffee and some Wi-Fi. It was a great spot to sit down for a short respite.

After browsing the shops, I started the hike up to the ropeway station which leads to the top of Mount Misen. The ropeway station is about a 30 minute walk from the ferry landing, mostly uphill. It takes approximately 2-3 hours of hiking to get to the top of Mt. Misen without the ropeway, so I would only recommend this option if a longer stay has been planned (an some cardio in preparation!). The gondola ride to the top has expansive views of the entire area. If you visit on a clear day like I did, you will  have the great opportunity at the top to soak in beautiful vistas of the entire Seto Inland Sea, including many islands.

The last ferry boat back to the mainland usually departs in the early evening (around 6 PM), so I had to stop touring and head back to downtown Hiroshima at the end of the day. Had I had more time, I would have liked to book a night’s stay on the island for a more personal experience at night after most of the tourists have left. Regardless of duration of stay, I enjoyed my time exploring and photographing the beautiful Miyajima Island!

September 2nd, 2017 – Hiroshima, Japan: Atomic Bomb Peace Memorial Park and Mitaki Temple

A trip to Hiroshima is not complete without the sobering, but important, trip to the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park, and associated monuments. Located at the epicenter is the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum was my first stop, and takes approximately 30 minutes to walk through. Several videos and photographs of the tragedy can be seen, to include personal stories of people living in Hiroshima immediately before and following the attack. The museum has a search center devoted to remembering those who lost their lives by providing details on their lives before the bomb. One interesting fact I learned was that there were American POW’s that were killed during the attack. I spent some time reading the stories and trying to envision the ordeal. It is hard to fathom the destruction that the atomic bomb caused, but the museum does an excellent job describing it.

The Atomic Bomb Dome is located a short walk from the museum, and consists of some large buildings that have not moved or been reconstructed since the attack. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is draw-dropping.

Another must-visit location in the Hiroshima Peace Park is the Children’s Peace Monument. It is has several glass pillars filled with folded paper cranes. Legend has it that if you fold 1,000 cranes, you will be cured from whatever ails you. Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who suffered from radiation-caused leukemia, attempted this but died shortly before she completed all 1,000. Visitors fold cranes in her memory and donate them to the site. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Peace_Monument)

During the last part of this busy day, I took a short train ride three stops out of the city to visit Mitaki Temple. Mitaki Temple has a fascinating history. It was originally built in Hirogawa, Wakayama, in 809. However, after the atomic bomb destroyed Hiroshima, it was dismantled in 1951 and rebuilt just outside the city to comfort the grieving locals. Today, the temple serves as a reminder of the strength and commitment of the Japanese people. After the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima, critics did not think the city could be built or inhabited in less than 75 years. Today, Hiroshima is a modern, bustling city that draws tourists from all over the world to experience it’s special culture.

September 1st, 2017 – Hiroshima, Japan: Carp Castle and Shukkeien Garden

Hiroshima has been on my Japan bucket list since I began to research this fascinating country. Finally, I was able to take a weekend to go visit! I spent two full days in Hiroshima, and organized each day carefully to maximize my stay. Hiroshima is much smaller, and therefore less crowded, than Tokyo and does not rank in the top 10 largest cities in Japan. The layout of the city is especially convenient for walkers and bikers, while their public transport system is phenomenal as well.  While a long weekend certainly is not long enough to see everything in Hiroshima, I visited all the popular places, spent some time exploring off the beaten path, and thoroughly enjoyed my trip.

My first stop was Hiroshima Castle.The castle complex is surrounded by a large moat, which encloses a shrine, gate area, and the museum in the castle itself. A running trail, approximately 2 km, surrounds the moat, and several trees and park benches available to provide a relaxing atmosphere. The castle is open to the public (for a small fee) to climb to the top and enjoy the castle’s history throughout the museum. Most of the material in the museum is in Japanese, but enough is also written in English so I could understand most of the writings. Near the location where the current castle sits are ruins of the original foundation before it was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945. The castle’s history begins in 1590 when it was originally constructed. After the Meiji Restoration, the castle served as a military headquarters, most notably used in WWII for the 2nd General Army, to dissuade Allied Forces from invading the mainland of Japan. I enjoyed walking through each level of the museum, which covered the entire history of the castle, and seeing the view of Hiroshima from the top. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Castle)

Located nearby is  the serene Shukkeien Garden. Shukkeien Garden was created shortly after the construction of Hiroshima Castle to provide a relaxing area for tea ceremonies. This garden has several sections that mimic different types of scenery (Shukkeien means “shrunken scenery garden” in English). There are beautiful tea houses that surround the center lake, with signs outside discussing their purpose during the Edo Period. The lake has several small islands which are designed to look like turtles and cranes, with a little imagination. A stone bridge with an arch in the middle bisects the lake, and provides a place to feed the fish as well as a beautiful view of the entire area. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed visiting this garden and highly recommend visiting this location and following the entire outside path that surrounds the garden. It is truly a gem in the heart of the city. (Source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3403.html)

August 19th, 2017 – Phuket, Thailand: Mai Khao Beach and Phang Nga Bay

For the second part of our trip to Thailand, we decided to stay on the Western coast of Thailand right on the quiet Mai Khao Beach. Because it is not convenient to travel to downtown Phuket (approximately 1 hr by taxi), the area is very quiet and few people walk this beach. The ocean was pretty rough during this time of year, and most hotel staff do not recommend swimming unless very proficient. Although August falls in Thailand’s rainy season, we only experienced rain one afternoon and only for a few hours. Most tourists are families or couples who are searching for a quiet, romantic getaway. Mai Khao Beach spans approximately 12 km, with the dense forest often coming right down to the sand. Part of the beach is included in Thailand’s Sirinat National Park, and different wildlife, including birds, lizards, crabs and more can be observed. Claire and I enjoyed daily walks at sunset and felt that most nights we had the whole paradise to ourselves! The area was clean, as there are several resorts (including a JW Marriott and Marriott Vacation Club) nearby which help maintain it. While it has been nicknamed “airport” beach because of its proximity to Phuket International Airport, this only applies to the most southern stretch of the beach. The Northern area is very exclusive and unperturbed by air traffic.
The highlight of our stay in Phuket was an entire day of touring Phang Nga Bay with Simba Sea Trips. Simba Sea Trips conducts personal (no more than sixteen people) tours on the water to many small, uninhabited islands off the coast of Thailand. The tour starts early (pick up at 6 AM!), but that is well worth it! Simba Sea trips gets you out early so you can experience the spectacular views and beaches before the rest of the tourism begins. In order to maximize the experience, Simba Sea Trips keeps a tight schedule between destinations, but I did not feel rushed. Every time we left one particular spot, there was a huge tourist group just arriving. I do not think I would have been able to enjoy this time as thoroughly had I been cramped with hundreds of other tourists on these small islands. The particular tour that Claire and I booked followed the path below. We started by visiting Koh Phanak and exploring its cave complex that has been created by water running in and around the island for a long time. The trip included a visit to the famous “James Bond Island” (Khao Phing Kan). The iconic small spike is made of beautiful limestone and has since separated from the main part of the island. This particular tour included a individual, hour long canoeing adventure, circumnavigating Koh Hong. The guide brings your very close to the island, where you can touch the limestone formations and look for fish swimming beneath the canoe. We even took a short detour into a cave that was accessible at low tide. The last portion of the trip is a boat ride to Koh  Yao Noi, an inhabited island famous for it’s laid back lifestyle, drawing comparisons to what Phuket was like 30 years ago. We ate lunch at a quaint restaurant located right next to the beach, and after took a small pickup truck ride across the island, seeing rice paddy fields and water buffalo! Each view during this day was spectacular, and I consider it solely worth the flight to Phuket. Simba Sea Trips offered a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime tour, and I highly recommend them to anyone visiting this part of Thailand! (http://www.simbaseatrips.com)

Lastly, a quick shoutout to the JW Marriott Phuket Staff and their 5-star brunch. It is incredible! You can’t beat the fresh juice bar, international cuisine, and beautiful view during breakfast! Claire and I really enjoyed eating here and are forever spoiled!

August 15th, 2017 – Chiang Mai, Thailand: Elephant Nature Park, Famous Buddhist Temples, and Local Cuisine!

Visiting Thailand was a definitive highlight of my summer. For the last few years, Thailand’s culture, food, and history had stirred my desire to visit. With much excitement, I began the planning process several months ago with an eye to visit both the Northern and Southern parts of the country. This blog post will cover the first part of my trip to Thailand, when I visited the Northern province of Chiang Mai, with details and tips on several must-see tourist destinations, including Elephant Nature Park, famous Buddhist temples you cannot miss, and a favorite restaurant review!

During our first full day in the city, Claire had booked a single-day visit to Elephant Nature Park. To provide a brief background, Elephant Nature Park is a wild animal sanctuary that focuses on the rehabilitation of abused elephants. They have over 70 elephants living in their reserve! The single-day visit includes round-trip transportation (a staff member will pick you up and drive you up to and from the park, which is located approximately an hour and a half from downtown), participation in elephant feeding, a hands-on experience bathing an elephant, delicious home-made lunch, and a guided tour of the entire park. The single-day visit is the most popular option, and it is easy to see why. The guided tour is very personal, with not more than ten members per group. The day at the park starts with feeding bananas, sugar cane, and sweet corn to elephants. ​

 

​The tour guide knows all the elephants in detail and is eager to teach you about the animal, as well as its own personal rescue story. I learned that the majority of elephants are mistreated in Thailand, as they are forced to do unnatural acts, to include performing at circus events, street begging, logging, and being ridden by tourists. The park rescues elephants as often as they can, but most times they are unable to unless they buy the elephant from the organization that is causing the mistreatment. This can be very expensive, with prices around 30,000 USD for a single elephant. However, the park continues to grow through profits from the tours and donations. My favorite part of the tour is when the guide takes you down to a river that courses through the park, and the elephants walk down into the water for their bath. ​

 

​After a safety discussion on how to treat the elephant during this phase, I was allowed to pour water on the elephant and help cool it off during its afternoon bath. During this part, the elephant really was flapping its ears, a sign of joy and happiness. This part is the most memorable. I highly recommend this tour over other elephant interactions in the country because of the impact to elephant conservation. The costs is roughly 75 USD for a single-day trip, and all proceeds go to a worthy cause! For more information about donating, volunteering, or booking your visit, please visit their website at https://www.elephantnaturepark.org. 

Similar to Kyoto, Japan, Chiang Mai has rich history, hundreds of temples built throughout the city, and once served as the kingdom’s capital. Just walking around the city without any specific direction will bring you to several different temples. Three temples stand out as a must-see in Chiang Mai: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chedi Luang.

The first religious site I visited was the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is famous for its age, being said that it was founded in 1383, and its size. It has expanded over the years to include several other holy areas, statues, pagodas, and a museum. It is situated on a mountain North of the city, with impressive vistas visible on a clear day. When we visited, it was very busy with both tour groups and locals. Most of the area is open to tourists free of charge, with the exception of a small fee to enter the inner courtyard (you must remove your shoes first!). I really enjoyed looking at the detailed carvings of the many walls and statues that are located in the complex. Most everything is ornate with gold gilding. We did not have favorable weather for views of the city, so we spent most of our time examining the intricacies of the temple.

The second temple to spotlight is Wat Phra Singh. This temple is included in the main city walls within the moat. Singh is Sanskrit for “lion”, and there are large lion statues which guard the front entrance. Similar to Wat Phra That Soi Duthep, this temple also traces its roots back to the 1300’s, although its gold-colored coating has been refurbished recently. It was significantly less crowded here, which allowed us to have a more personal experience and take better pictures!

Our third and final stop was the Wat Chedi Luang. This temple differs from the others in construction and upkeep. The Wat Chedi Luang is actually comprised of three separate temples, with the most famous one rising above the others in the center city. It is composed of stone with large elephant carvings surrounding the middle. The base is surrounded by a moat. Although we did not participate, monks at Wat Chedi Luang conduct daily “monk chats”, with novice monks who field questions about Buddhism and Thailand from tourists.

While although there are literally hundreds of Buddhist temples in the square center-city of historic Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Soi Duthep, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chedi Luang are three that stand out with rich history and beautiful construction.

Lastly, I’ll conclude with a short summary of Northern Thailand cuisine, or “Lanna food”. Most popular dishes are curry and noodle based. Sausage, pork, beef, and chicken can be the staples of the meal. Based on geography, seafood is less common. Chiang Mai is most known for its Khao Soi Curry. Khao Soi is a delicious, slightly sweet, coconut curry served with both soft and crisp egg noodles. Spice levels vary, but it is difficult to find mild! Lemongrass Restaurant (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293917-d1723591-Reviews-Lemongrass_Thai_Restaurant-Chiang_Mai.html) serves Khao Soi, in addition to several other local Thai dishes.  This restaurant was affordable, delicious, and definitely worth trying when visiting Chiang Mai!

 

August 4th, 2017 – Flying To Saipan

I try not to blog too much about what goes on at work, but I do want to share a cool opportunity I had recently to fly to Saipan. Saipan is a small island (12 x 6 mi) and also a commonwealth of the United States. It was captured by the Empire of Japan during WWI. However, during WWII, the U.S. conducted large scale combat operations on the island to take it over. The “Battle of Saipan” took place for about a month in the summer of 1944. The U.S. Marine Corps and Army suffered over 3,000 casualties with over 10,000 wounded. Even more sobering, of the 30,000 Japanese defenders, only 921 were taken prisoner. Because of the close quarters of the fighting on the small island, it is estimated that over 20,000 Japanese civilians perished as well, some jumping off the cliffs to their doom.

However, today the island subsists mainly on tourism. There are several large hotels that line the white, sandy beaches, and during my flight, I also identified two golf courses. The water is crystal clear and there are large reefs popular for SCUBA diving and snorkeling. I am glad I was given the opportunity to fly here for a training mission, and will not easily forget the sacrifices both sides made for their causes on that tiny piece of land.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saipan)

July 23rd, 2017 – Brisbane, Australia: Gabba Stadium, Rolld, 4Fingers

For my second excursion out of the country this year, I visited Brisbane, Australia, for the second time in three years. Brisbane is the most populated city in the Australian state of Queensland, and I booked an apartment in the CBD, or Central Business District. On the first day I was able to catch a Brisbane Lions Australian Rules Football match at Gabba Stadium. Before the game, I took a moment to review the rules (because I had no idea how they play this sport), and found it to be closer to rugby than to the American football I had in mind. It is a very popular sport in Australia, competing with soccer and rugby for the most viewed sport on television. During this game, the Brisbane Lions were hosting the Carlton Blues and bested them, although it was a close finish! I estimated the the stadium filled to 65% capacity, but I’ll chock that up to a Sunday night game. It was a unique experience, and I’m glad I was able to attend. Two years ago when I visited Brisbane previously, the Lions did not have any home games, so this was a  real treat.

Another highlight of my trip was visiting the Australian Vietnamese chain “Rolld”, located a few blocks from where I stayed. They advertise that they offer Vietnamese style street food with an Australian twist. I opted for a cup of “Pho”, a noodle soup. I had not eaten any Vietnamese food before, and I was excited to try. The service was quick, the food delicious, and I enjoyed eating there. (http://rolld.com.au)

4Fingers is a crispy chicken sandwich restaurant that impressed me the most. I returned here twice during my 4-day trip. It was pretty convenient, but it was the chicken sandwich that brought me back. They have a soy-garlic sauce that they use which is incredible. The interior decor is covered with rebellious paraphernalia, encouraging patrons to join the “resistance” and “revolution” of 4Fingers chicken. Currently, they do not have any restaurants in the U.S., but the manager said they are planning to open one up in NYC. I suggested Japan, but I don’t know how much of a hit that would be with the locals here! Because I couldn’t stop talking about the taste of the soy-garlic sauce, I convinced two of my friends to try it, and they loved it too! (http://www.4fingers.com)

June 19th, 2017 – Singapore Part III: Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

The final part about my stay in Singapore that I want to write about was the highlight of the whole trip. In my opinion, visiting the Gardens by the Bay is worth an entire flight to Singapore. It truly merits national pride. The area is walking distance from the Marina Bay Sands, or a short cab ride from center city. It is free to the public to walk throughout the three parts that comprise Gardens by the Bay: Bay Central, Bay South, and Bay East. Countless articles have already been written about this topic, so I will focus on the areas where I was able to spend time.

Large towering man-made structures are built in Bay South, dubbed “Supertrees” that allow other vines and types of greens to grow on them. They are stunning both day and night (they light up after sunset!) This area is where I spent most of my time. The famous “Flower Dome” and “Cloud Forest” are located here. These are giant greenhouses kept at a controlled temperature and humidity to be hospitable for certain plant life. In order to enter inside the “Cloud Forest” and “Flower Dome”, I had to purchase tickets, $20 SG total. This price alone was worth an escape from the heat of the afternoon for a few hours! Aptly named, Cloud Forest displays plant life that can be found up at 6000 ft above sea level. The highlight is a giant waterfall at the entrance with water gushing down over 30 feet! This greenhouse is built around a small mountain, with walkways spiraling around to the top. The plant life varies as you make the climb to a “higher altitude”, and the top you not only get a view of the entire “Cloud Forest”, but also of the city of Singapore. A peak inside the mountain and a separate walkway will take you to a stalactite and stalagmite exhibit. Coming from over a month at sea, I really enjoyed taking my time here and checking out all the different types of plants on display.

The “Flower Dome” is more highly rated on TripAdvisor than “Cloud Forest” and has been listed in 2015 as the largest greenhouse in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. It was definitely more crowded. So many different types of beautiful flowers are on display, including a whole section of flowers from Southern California! A few small structures are built inside, including a couple of intricately decorated miniature houses and a large archway. The layout is complex, with a myriad of walkways weaving through the greenhouse along beds of brightly colored flowers. There is no set path throughout “Flower Dome”, and I enjoyed a few minutes sitting down on a bench located in the shade and taking in the entire scene, and wishing my wife was there to see it too!
 

June 18th, 2017 – Singapore Part II: Sri Mariamman and Buddha Tooth Relic Temples

While in Singapore, I decided to explore something with historical significance, so I hunkered down and did some research. The Sri Mariamman Temple, built in the 1820s, is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Mariamman_Temple,_Singapore) Now, I’m spoiled when it comes to sightseeing temples. Shinto and Buddhist temples in Japan are historic, ornate, beautiful, and well maintained. I have seen hundreds, from Okinawa to Kyoto and up through Tokyo. The Sri Mariamman Temple is very different. I’m not sure if it was an issue with funding or lack of public support, but the interior is seriously deteriorating. The outer wooden carvings are without a doubt ornate and finely detailed;  however, they needed a touch up of paint and some repairs. An approximately 15 foot stone wall forms a perimeter around where the center room is built. Removing socks and shoes is required before walking on the smooth stone floor and up to the center viewing area. It was not crowded when I visited. For the most part, other tourists took pictures of the outside and peaked through the gate without removing their shoes. Overall, I expected it to be kept in a better state for being touted as national landmark. I did my best to take pictures focusing on the beautiful parts of the temple, but it wasn’t easy!

The next temple I visited was in Chinatown and is known as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Tooth_Relic_Temple_and_Museum) Much newer than the Sri Mariamman Temple and of an entirely different religion, the Buddah Tooth Relic Temple was built in 2002 and cost millions of dollars to build. The highlight is the viewing of the relic on the 4th floor. Lots of bright reds and golds color the interior. There were several detailed stone sculptures outside the entrance, seemingly “guarding” the relic. I enjoyed perusing Chinatown and visiting this temple more than the Sri Mariamman Temple, although each one was constructed very differently, and I’m glad I had time to visit both.

June 17th, 2017 – Singapore Part I: Food & Drink (The Curry Culture, Banana Leaf Apolo, Hawker Chan, Alt Pizza, Smoke and Mirrors)

My four-day trip to the Republic of Singapore was the highlight of the summer. Singapore had been recommended to me by several of my friends as a unique country to visit because of its night life and the beautiful gardens (just visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/ to see what they are up to… hint…the slogan is “Let’s Make Singapore Our Garden) of its city-state capital. Other high praise because of its cleanliness, friendly people, and ease of navigation (primary language is English). To lower the costs of staying in an expensive city, I decided to book an Air BnB (I crashed with some friends at an apartment complex at Roberson Quay / CBR Central) located a short walk from Clark Quay. Clark Quay is a very popular area for food, drinks, and general tourism. However, had I not stayed walking distance from this area, anywhere in the city is a short cab ride away. Singapore is a very small country, totaling approximately 275 square miles. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore) In comparison, the small state of New Jersey (where I grew up, NJ all day!) is around 8,750 square miles in size.

Because of the specific parts of the trip, I have decided to split the Singapore blog review into three separate posts, highlighting the food and drink, temples I visited, and the famous Gardens By the Bay. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Singapore has a lot more to offer than what is included in my writing. I would visit again in a heartbeat.

The cuisine in Singapore is very diverse. This is partly because, as a seaport, it takes significant influence from the many foreigners who have frequented the country during the last 200 years.

In addition to walking through Little India, during my trip, I picked out two Indian restaurants to visit: The Curry Culture and Banana Leaf Apolo. The Curry Culture (http://www.thecurryculture.com.sg/home.html) has three locations. According to TripAdvisor, it is the highest reviewed Indian restaurant in Singapore, as well as in the top 10 restaurants overall. (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294265-d3512529-Reviews-The_Curry_Culture-Singapore.html) Prices were above-average for Singapore (which is already expensive!), but the food was delicious. We opted to sit indoors, although outside seating was available. Banana Leaf Apolo (http://www.thebananaleafapolo.com), while although not as widely reviewed or highly rated as The Curry Culture, is a more affordable, yet still delectable, Indian restaurant. Here, they serve the food in small dishes over top a banana leaf plate. Unlike The Curry Culture, this restaurant was packed with locals and very busy. I would recommend both locations if Indian food is your fancy, but Banana Leaf Apolo was more traditional, served larger portion sizes, and was more affordable.

I won’t dwell on the next part too long, but I did visit the Michelin-starred Hawker Chan for some pork and noodles at the end of the trip. I had heard and read positive reviews and my experience did not live up to the hype. While although the food looked delicous, it was mediocre at best and the service was well below average. I was excited to go, but it sadly was not worth my time or money. I would only recommend eating there if you are living in Singapore and have tried everything else!

New to this area, the modern Alt Pizza was my favorite find. I happened to see it just walking around one night and decided to go there the next day for dinner. “Alt” stands for alternative, and several different types of sauces and toppings are available. The whole operation reminded me of a smaller, more personal Mellow Mushroom. Alt Pizza is run by a friendly, outgoing, Australian ex-pat. He made us feel at home and we all enjoyed his good selection of unique pizzas, wings, and beer.

Lastly, I wanted to post some pictures and provide a great review for the bar Smoke and Mirrors (http://www.smokeandmirrors.com.sg). With the perspective that all alcohol in Singapore is expensive, the costs at Smoke and Mirrors are typical. Any grief you feel at parting with $10 US for a beer is lost as you soak up a great view of downtown (including the iconic hotel Marina Bay Sands). The bar is built atop Singapore’s national art gallery, which itself is a beautifully sculptured building. The bar food was delicious and the cocktail menu impressive. It is definitely worth a stop, after or during sunset, when visiting Singapore.

The last few pictures are of some cool sights that I saw while walking around. There’s certainly a lot to see and do in Singapore!