Yet another long overdue post but this time it's out of Malaysia, from 3rd World to 1st World. Somewhere in the midst of term 4 we headed South to Singapore for FHA 2008, also known as Food & Hotel Asia 2008. It's basically an exhibition with companies from around the world showcasing their products and services, mainly food as well hotel-related items . A very informative and educational exhibition especially for hospitality students. =)
We left right after college on a Tuesday. In between Kwong's class actually. haha. Fortunate for us, there is a bus to Singapore which departs from One Utama. Extremely convenient and quite reasonable too, @ RM45 one way. Well, at least it is much better than getting yourself stuck in a gridlock in KL. The company is First Coach and there's also another company which is Aeroline.
The whole journey took about 5 hours including all the immigration checks and procedures at both sides of the causeway. At 12am local time, we arrived at Novena Square somewhere North of Singapore City. Despite the fact that it was already midnight, it was rather convenient getting a cab. Taxi costs SGD14 each. We were already liking the city-state. My aunt offered to tumpang all 6 of us at her condominium in Upper Serangoon Road because accommodation in Singapore is quite pricey especially for Malaysians. =(
Next morning, we headed over to the MRT station to purchase our EZlink card which is fondly known as Touch 'n' Go in Malaysia. Majority of Singaporeans use the EZlink card instead of purchasing manual or single trip tickets simply because they commute via public transportation everyday unlike Malaysia where it is almost impossible unless you don't mind changing several buses and lines before reaching destination.
Notice they actually line up instead of crowding
From the Hougang MRT station, we took a cab to the Singapore Expo where FHA was held. It cost us about SGD14 per cab. We waited awhile for Chef to arrive before we got our entry passes and went straight it.
At out first glance, we can easily tell that they were prepared to play host to such a major event like this unlike Summer Splash. There were shuttle buses to participating hotels, information counters, maps, diagrams and many other assisting tools for the convenience of the patrons. I took plenty of pictures that I had a hard time choosing the best pictures to post but most of it ended up here eventually.
The first hall we went which was Hall 7 if I'm not mistaken. It was a little dull as there weren't many exhibitors. One of the exhibitors that stood out was Electrolux. They were giving out free 'environmentally friendly' bags containing T-shirts and doing some demonstrations on their latest appliances.
The Electrolux chef with his constipated look.
Chef Karam teeing
There was also this booth which claims to be the first golfing simulator in Asia.
There was also a bowling thing which reminds me of the one that use to exist in Twinkles One Utama. After walking around we left Hall 7 for the more 'serious' halls. We had to cross the street to the other side.
The first interesting product I encountered was a pastilla made from prunes and macadamia nuts. I have no idea why but it seriously tastes so good. I forgotten where it was from but I think it was from Lebanon or somewhere around that region.
Moving along, we met Moses Lim. He's one the cast in 'Under one Roof' and he happens to be one of the food judges in FHA 2008. haha.
Also managed to watch some of the competitions taking place like the Dream Team challenge. Somehow, the organisers decided to separate the contestants and the audience with a blue-tinted glass which made it feel like we were watching a blue film. -_-
Team Taiwan
Ice cream samples
It was about lunch time and we obviously felt hungry so we went walking around the food section. There were all sorts of ice-creams and pastries as well as finger foods offered to visitors to sample. Sounds tempting but we had to look after our college's image so we tried only what was necessary.
We came across the Indoguna booth which boasts a fine selection of seafood. Some of which is not even found Malaysia. You have to admit that Singapore imports more than Malaysia. =)
By 1pm, all the food booths were heating up with plenty of housewives sampling product. I don't even know what are these housewives doing in a trade exhibition. hmmph.
The different types of noodles and sauces to mix and match
Chocolates... they are everywhere throughout the Singapore Expo. Dark, white, Belgium, Swiss or Danish, you name it, they have it.
A dark chocolate sculpture
And a white chocolate sculpture. Not for eating though
just in case ice creams are not enough to make your day, try some gelato. Premium Italian gelato to be exact. These Italians were really generous on that day. haha
Of course, we did check out the latest technology and trend in the chinaware and dinnerware. Not to forget wine glasses as well as other beverage glasses.
Good food won't be possible without a good knife and so there were knives in the exhibits as well. There were so many different types of knives of different uses. Again, some of which I don't even know its purpose.
We were a little jakun too that we were so fascinated over this dishwasher machine from Korea.
As we continued walking there were more pastries..
and gelati. haha
and suddenly, Nana with her 'radar' managed to spot Emmanuel Stroobant, otherwise known as Chef in Black. I like the message on his T-shirt. haha. Truly reflects a chef.
Turkish booth
Fromage and more fromage.. (cheese)
The most interesting and renowned booth of course, is none other than the French booth. Easily, it was one of the biggest exhibitors in FHA. It basically features products France is famous for such as wine, cheese and
Truffles,..
as well as the controversial Foie Gras.
There were French wines everywhere.
Wine is like their national symbol after the Eiffel Tower.
The Monin booth
I was quite delighted to see the Monin booth. haha. These are one of the best cocktail ingredients.
After walking around for quite some time, we realised it was time for some serious issue. And so we headed over to the Castel booth for wine tasting. This company is basically involved in the production and distribution of French wine.
Not so pro after all
white wine
Because we sat there for quite a while, we ended up chatting with the bartendress who hails from France. Tried to sharpen our wine knowledge with her too.
The ideal way of tasting a wine is to sip, taste and spit. It is not meant to be swallowed and it's advisable to start from a white wine followed by a light bodied red to a full bodied red.
Wine and cheese, the perfect match
As we were walking out, we came across another gelato booth but a more unqiue one in terms of preparations. This time it's a combination of 2 flavours topped with chocolate syrup and assorted nuts.
Basically the guy will spread the gelato on a stone that it chilled to a specific temperature in order to maintain its texture
After the gelati are evenly spread, the toppings are added and the two flavours are layered.
voila! the perfect way to end the 1st day at the Singapore Expo
Upon finishing our gelato, we headed back to change from our formal suits. It was rush hour and considered the peak hour. However, Singapore is eveready for anything.
Expo MRT
One thing I must praise about the MRT network is the convenience, its spaciousness and its spaciousness. We literally didn't have to rub shoulders with anyone.
Their buses are equally outstanding. They have double decks. haha.
The best part of it is that you have to wait for not more than 5 minutes before the bus arrives.
and they have a tv with Channel News Asia
So we got back, showered and then we left for Boat Quay via MRT again
lol.
Boat Quay at night. It boasts an array of dining establishments ranging from western cuisine to Asian cuisine.
at the end of Boat Quay lies the Fullerton Hotel with the Esplanade and the buildings at Marina Bay at the backdrop
Boat Quay with the Singapore skyline
We chose to dine at a Chinese restaurant facing the river. In average, the dinner cost us about SGD10. The others were simply above our budget.
After dinner we walked to Marina Bay.
We passed by the gothic-looking Fullerton Hotel
and a Victorian era bridge with a weird signage,
Children pushing each other into the river. They are actually sculptures to create awareness for arts. How brilliant
Marina Bay. Notice the newly opened Singapore Flyer on the right.
The walk from Boat Quay took about 5 minutes and it's properly guided with street lamps. There were alot of couples around there too. haha
The Singapore skyline as seen from Esplanade.
The new casino under construction. There are so many cranes on the site that Singaporeans call them their national bird.
A visit to Singapore is incomplete without visiting the Esplanade. It's Singapore's very own teathre with a 'local' influence in its architecture.
full moon on Esplanade
Swissotel Stamford Hotel as seen from Esplanade. New Asia Bar, one of Singapore's most exciting bars, is located on the 72nd floor which is the highest floor.
Group pic
Coming back was a little scary as it was pass midnight and the MRt stations are already closed.
Fortunately there's a midnight bus that runs through Serangoon from Marina Bay. I'm already loving this city.
And I found the secret to Singapore's efficient bus service. It's the fact that they have special bus lanes like motorcycle lanes.
Gothic alley
To get to the desired bus stop we had to walk through a row of pre-war shophouses that have been restored to its original state currently housing various boutiques and yuppie-concerned outlets.
For once, it felt like we were strolling through the streets of London.
And I found a very interesting advertisement at the bus stop regarding the first F1 night race. Singapore just can't stop being creative. It's quite soon.. I may consider going too.
The next morning, we woke up slightly later and we went for breakfast at the Hougang bus station. They had some nasi lemak, Malaysian style while I stoned there as I simply wasn't hungry. Besides, I am not that fascinated with Singaporean food that originates from Malaysia. haha. It was our last day in Singapore and we were bound to leave that night itself so we made full use of every second we had at the Expo.
We visited more food booths of course, as food was a major component in FHA 2008.
French fries cake
Cheesburger cake. People are getting weirder aren't they?
Of course, the most important event that day was the Dream Team challenge in which Taylor's is participating.
Students from Temasik Culinary Academy strutting their stuff.
Our very own Dream Team
Taylor's managed to bag the silver award while Temasik grabbed the Gold if I'm not mistaken. I have to admit the students from Temasik were very professional and efficient. Nevertheless, Taylor's did quite well too as they managed to trash the other 5 star hotels competing.
Back to more interesting gadgets,
There's a waterproof micros on display. lol. Perhaps Taylor's should get one too.
and again, ice cream.
We also spent some time supporting our very own Malaysian finalist at the 1st Asia Barista Championship.
It's interesting how coffee making can be transformed into a form of art
We have been walking for 2 days non-stop till we decided it was time to fill ourselves with carb.
After lunch, we eventually became lazy and finished off whatever we missed out.
Numbers are actually the hall number. 7 altogether stretching over to the other end. Nothing in Malaysia can beat that.
These are some of the last minute food booths we visited so I'll let the picture do most of the talking.
nougats
cream puffs and croissant
assorted sausages
canapes
Before ending our visit at the Expo, we decided to visit Castel again, this time for sweet wine and rosé wine tasting.
We tried sweet wines from Jurancon
and of course, Rosé wine.
and a couple of wines from
Rhone Valley,..
Bordeaux,..
and last but not least Burgundy.
At the end of the day, all of us were so tired that we ended up sitting down at the visitors lounge and watch the world pass by. haha
Before heading home, we checked out the food sculptures that were on display at the foyer.
This is one of my personal favourite. A figurine made entirely out of chocolate
Chef Patrik Siau's Sugar sculpture which won him Silver
A scene from the Bible
A cathedral
Group pic with Chef Karam
It was our last night in Singapore so that night itself we went to Orchard Road as Sean wanted to buy some Cds.
Cineleisure Singapore
Despite Singapore being a developed city, they still have ice cream vendors along Orchard Road. Well apparently, the ice cream is made in Malaysia. haha. I just find it weird that we hardly see any such ice cream vendors with the waffer ice cream.
Only SGD1 but it tastes so good. A very unique experience in uniquely Singapore!
As we strolled down Orchard Road, this signboard caught my attention. It really depicts its purpose as a visitors centre because of its extremely huge signboard. Tourists will never have trouble finding it.
For dinner, it was at a typical chinese hawker centre beside Le Meridien Hotel. Because majority of Singaporeans are Chinese, the atmosphere is similar to the streets of Shihlin in Taiwan.
I got myself some noodles with a hotpot. Another great way to wrap-up my visit to Singapore
A busy street in Singapore
Plaza Singapura as seen from the Istana Park
Finally, we went to Clarke Quay just minutes before our bus departs at midnight. Clarke Quay is similar to our very own Asian Heritage Row where multiple bars and clubs line the streets only that it's much bigger and happening in Clarke Quay. It's the epitome of nightlife in Singapore.
Colourful building on the way to Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is also home to Gmax bungy and GforceX. Suitable for adrenaline junkies.
Over hear at Clarke Quay, there are so many different types of bars and clubs, each with its own unique and distinctive concept. My personal favourite would have to be Clinic. It's a bar with a hospital theme and it covers every aspect from the ambience, furniture to equipments. That's really creative. Their lights are designed to look like the ones in an operating theatre, Their tables are the operating tables and their divider are ward curtains.
The most extraordinary thing and the main attraction has got to be its chairs. They are wheelchairs. The individual behind the concept is one genius. You can visit its website here but it may be a little disturbing to some.
Apart from that, there's also a Chivas bar,
and I'm sure many can tell what this is. haha
Somehow, the bars and clubs here have really outstanding names.
So that's the end of our visit to Singapore. It's really a great city to play in but I'm unsure whether it's a great city to live and work in.
