I decided to stay in Beijing an extra day to finish some shopping, but by the time Saturday rolled around i was looking forward to leaving behind the pollution, traffic, and people horking (spitting) in the streets (among other things). Arriving in Singapore was a most refreshing experience. It was the first time i had asked for "Airport Pickup Service" from the Pan Pacific, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Upon disembarking the plane, I was immediately met by my own personal escort who walked me all the way through immigration, baggage claim and customs. I was then met by a limo (a Mercedes Benz E class i believe) and my own "driver" who then drove me to the hotel. Upon reaching the hotel, I was greeted by hotel rep who took me DIRECTLY to my room (didn't have to go to the front desk). Once I got to the room, she took down my credit card number, gave me my keycard and then she was off. It was the FASTEST check-in experience I've ever had...which is in contrast to the experiences i had in Beijing.Today was our last day for client visits, so we hoped to make it a good one. You know the meetings being productive when the customer asks YOU if you have more time to stay and chat with them. In the end, the future business in Singapore looks promising so i hope to make it out here again soon.
We literally ended the night off on a high note. Our Singapore contact took us to the top of the Swissotel Stamford, the highest hotel in Singapore at 72 storeys high. The view from the restaurant up top was simply stunning. Singapore is such a refined and sophisticated city compared to Beijing, but it obviously can't compare in culture and history. Pssssht...who cares about the thousands of years of culture...just as long as the cabbies are honest!!! hahah.
3 comments:
How much free time do you have?
I you've got time you should visit the Merlion by the water and the Merlion in Sentosa. There's also a very nice Orchid Garden somewhere in Singapore, I don't remember where. If you do go to the garden, can you pick up one of those baby Orchid in the bottles/test tubes? They cost something like $18. We bought one but lost it. Ours got confiscated at Canada customs because we declared it and didn't have the papers to go with it stating what type of plant it is, where it was grown, blah blah blah.
Hi Cyrus! I'm a Vancouverite on exchange in Beijing, trust me, Beijing's not that bad.... besides the spitting. And I mean, the stuff is super cheap so it was worth it right? However, I cannot believe you got so ripped off with the taxi ride.....
You should check out my site
http:aliceinbeijing.blogspot.com
no way man...smuggle your own plants RJT.
The spitting is disgusting. Especially when some people do it indoors. But Beijing isn't that bad...i know. To be fair, i met some nice cabbie drivers. And yes, the cheap shopping makes up for a lot of its faults!
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