A Night in Singapore

Hill St.Fire Stn.


Spent a quick weekend in Singapore with the family and Godmas. It was to celebrate Godma Hanim's birthday.

The journey via the Nice bus from old KTM stn was quick and comfortable even pleasant save for the little 'event' at the Singapore customs when I was marched to the duty officer's room by a 'red army' type, female officer who deemed me a sinner when she led me, meaning me made to walk behind her while she brandished the bottle of champagne, that I purportedly failed to declare, striding proudly to the 'sentencing' room with me in tow. At the end, duty payable was S$8.73 which I gladly paid a very nice Malay gentleman who never gave the issue any weight at all. In fact he was even apologetic.

The New Majestic Hotel we stayed in was well, newly Majestic. Only just about a year old, this boutique hotel has only 30 rooms all individually designed by Singapore's foremost artists and designers. Our room's designer is Miguel Chew. The Coolhunter aptly calls it "the Anti-hotel, more hollywood mansion than mega chain". Well, after this experience and knowing it's at Chinatown, I now know of many such hotels to explore in future.

Dinner at Flutes at the Fort was well executed for our party of six. The venue used to be the expatriate fire chief's residence snugly tucked atop a hillock behind the Hill St. Fire Station near Fort Canning. Very nice colonial bungalow with high ceilings and wide verandahs.
The wine and food fitted the occasion pretty well. Worth mentioning was the Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The Kangaroo loin was very gamey and chunky as the Cab Sav. that was served with it. Dessert came in a huge platter of all their offerings doubling up as Hanim's surprise birthday cake. But what topped the evening beyond the food and wine was the level of service we received from the very competent, attentive and creative head waiter Rashid and crew. This I believe, is Singapore's edge, a very competent work force.