Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 February 2017


Hi,

I bet you're Surprised, I'm sure you weren't expecting this so soon.

On my travels in the summer, as you are aware, I went to Singapore. You're all acutely aware I love cocktails too so, it was impossible for me especially not to visit the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. The Long bar itself is an experience, it's like stepping back in time. From the colonial facade to the interior teakwood bar and wicker chairs not to mention the traditional reef fans. You can really imagine this being the hub of socialites back in the day. Real nostalgia visit. 
The bar isn't really one of the bars you eat food apart from peanuts. Not the place to go if you have a peanut allergy at all. PEANUTS EVERYWHERE. The idea is that you nibble on the sack of peanuts on your table and then chuck the remains on the floor. The clean organised person that I am thought that the bar needed a clean when I first arrived, but after realising it was on purpose it was kind of exhilarating. 
The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 by Niam Ton Boon at Raffles long bar. At the time women were not allowed to drink alcohol in public, so he decided to create a drink that would not scream alcohol and looked more like a fruit punch. Saying that doesn't mean now it's thought of as a girly drink. However, when we were there were plenty of both genders.
It was just an amazing experience that you must go to, I can't stress that enough. As you can see from the picture below we didn't go in the evening, for us, it was more of a pre-dinner drinks. We had a relaxing girly day prior shopping at the Orchid ion mall, followed by the cinema and a photoshoot for the blog. And after we moved our cocktails and nibbles to a Tapas bar near, also delicious with a great outdoor atmosphere.

So that was my experience at the long bar, and I hope you enjoyed reliving the experience with me. I'm also sure I have adequately wetted your appetite so for the people that don't live in Singapore or can't afford to travel there immediately he is a recipe so you can attempt to make one at home.
Good luck and share the outcome with me on Instagram (@solvingmaria) if you give it a go. I hope you enjoined and feel free to comment down below.

Maria x
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Monday, 22 August 2016

Hello again,




So much to see and not enough time to do it all. That being the overall feeling throughout my trips in the past few weeks. Also so much to write about, and I will get there slowly but surely I promise. I have to say it's been so much fun, so you've got a lot to look forward to. 

But that what's to come, today I'm going to tell you about my little adventure exploring the amazing architecture in Singapore. It was amazing, so much interesting buildings, in such a small area.

The city is incredible, growing from the ground up but also out into the sea. It is a lot more modern than the average city. For example, London has both very old and very new architecture, whereas in Singapore it is mostly all new. In fact, one of the taxi drivers said that the oldest multi-storey they had left was built the early 1900s, which when you think about it is really not very old at all.

Which can be a bad thing or a good thing depending what your opinions are on the matter of old vs new and which country you're in. As we know old just doesn't work in Japan, with the ground constantly moving.

So without further or do, Let's get into my little tour;

So two my right ----->
 There is a map, a map of the main stops of my little tour around the city. Although there are plenty more buildings we stumbled upon along the way.

Start - My hotel, Swissotel Stamford. I am not there anymore, so it's ok no of you crazy people can come and find me. Haha
Stop 1 - Bugis+
Stop 2 - Parkroyal
Stop 3 - The Durian
Stop 4 - Artscience Museum
Stop 5 - Helix Bridge
Stop 6 - Marina Sands (of course)

You may call us crazy as it was around 33 degrees celsius all day but we decided to walk the whole thing. At least that was the plan until we found that there was a boat the would take us from Clarke Quay to the main bay at which most things are positioned around.

Bugis+


This building is quite interesting as you can see. And to be honest it was almost not part of my grand tour until I stumbled upon it while searching the web. Once I laid my eyes on the photo it was easy for me to realise I had to see it in person. In fact, it wasn't until we got there that we realised it was a shopping centre. The intricate geometric shapes bring texture in themselves, but I think my favourite aspect might be the red/terracotta tiled building behind. Nestled in the back with the foliage and the white domes shaped parts of the Bugis+ adds extra character to the buildings and even though on paper it sounds horrible, I think it works really well.

Side note: not only is Singapore the most growing city it's also the greenest city I've ever been to. Greenery everywhere, as far as the eye can see. So beautiful and refreshing

I also admire the extra showmanship shown by the designers, as when we ventured in, we were not disappointed. The same ergonomic and natural lines were carried inside as well, the ceiling almost looking like some rock formation. When venturing closer to the building to inspect the shapes on the facade you can see that each piece has been meticulously textured and arranged to give the overall finish. Amazing, I just have to say I'm sorry for the people that have to clean it, must be a nightmare I'm sure.

Park Royal

I don't know about you but I've seen this building on Instagram a few times, and I have to say I thought it was concept art. No way those floating gardens in between the building exist, but of course it does and in Singapore of all places. I suppose it's not so surprising, the city is full of initiative new modern buildings; it may all be modern but it's not all the same architect and designs are very diverse. 
There is no doubt about it, it's incredible. I almost don't know where to start. The first thing I guess is that it's a hotel so if you have a 'money no object' budget you should check it out, although if that was the case you may be tempted to go for the Marina Bay Sands. I love how again greenery is incorporated into the design, and that you get the feeling that it's a floating rainforest, with a hotel coming out of it. Instead of a modern building with some grass around it, it blends effortlessly with the different styles and foliage. 
I have to say that from every different perspective I saw a different aspect of the design, it's truly appealing from all angles. And no surprises I have tonnes of photos, and it was very hard to pick only a few for the blog let me tell you. 

The Durian


The Durian, the stinkiest fruit on the planet, a delicacy in Singapore. Or as Amy and my mum like to call it 'fly eyes', the uneducated bunch ;) . I have to say from above, I can see where they are coming from. Whatever it may look like its purpose is a theatre hall. The technique used to give its fruit like texture is quite interesting, using triangular shaped pieces on the rough in different directions to give tonal changes and the feel of depth and dimension. By only using this effect on the roof, the impact is sustained without becoming over the top or overdone. 

Art Science Museum

Or as I like to call it 'The Egg Shell', a cracked one, of course, please tell me I'm not the only person that sees it. 

To be honest, it's quite amazing that it stands up, the infrastructure to create it must be interesting. unfortunately, I couldn't persuade Amy to go inside, but from outside the way it catches the light and how the eye is attracted to it as a white object in a sea of different shades of blue. 

Helix Bridge

When you read about Singapore's Architecture it is mainly centred around the buildings around the bay but as I have shown there is so much more left unexplored. However, the Helix Bridge is around the bay, but is hardly ever mentioned and I can't imagine why.

The Helix bridge is the first and longest double helix curved bridge in the world. It's basically a gigantic version of DNA cool... but it's also curved, unbelievable!

Is that a bit too excitable? Probably, haha.

I'm having trouble describing this, I think my photos show how amazing it is. I just have to say that it is just so elegant, and sits so gracefully in it surrounding. Unlike the Millennium bridge in London, more commonly known as the wobbly bridge, it may be dainty looking but it is robust and has been constructed immaculately.




Marina Sands


I'm sure this need no introduction... everyone knows and has heard much about this building. It's become the symbol of Singapore, from its ship-like shape to its infinity pool. One thing I didn't know about was that it is curved, the ship at the top of curved!! if that wasn't enough the three pillars/buildings it is rested upon are split at the bottom like clothes pegs, in which there is a dual carriageway through. Incredible just doesn't suffice. We didn't go up at this time but we did go up to the bar eventually, and that might be a post by its self. 

Honourable mentions along the way


Thank you, everyone and I hope you enjoyed the read. Apologies for the wait, gone back to the dark ages with no Wifi, but I'll get there. 

Hang on and see you soon 

Maria x

P.s. for more photos check out my Instagram
#solvingmaria


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Friday, 15 July 2016

Good Evening, 

Today I'm going to try something a little different. This may not be everyone's thing, but I thought it would be fun. If you hadn't noticed by the title this is a kind of fashion post about what I wore in singapore, whilst on a trip after my exams had ended. 

Sunday

Shorts, Hat - H&M, Tee - AG, Bag - Ted Baker, Shoes - Schuh, Sunglasses - Dior 

Monday

 
Top - Uniqlo, Shorts - Hollister, Sunglasses - Calvin Klein, Bag - Fossil

Monday Evening 

Top - Topshop, Skirt - Marc Jacobs, Jewellery - Tiffany 

Tuesday




Top - M&S, Shorts - Gap, Shoes - Schuh, Hat - H&M, Sunglasses - Dior 

Wednesday

Top, Shorts - Abercrombie and Fitch, Shoes - Clarks, Bag - Fossil, Jewellery - Tiffany.

Thursday 

Dress - Jack wills, Shoes - Dune, Bag - Ted baker, Sunglasses Dior

Friday

Top - Abercrombie and fitch, Skirt, Hat - H&M, Bag - Fossil, Shoes - Schuh, Sunglasses - Dior.

Saturday 

Top - Armani Exchange, Shorts - Abercrombie and Fitch, Shoes - Dune, Bag - Fossil, Sunglasses - Calvin Klein 

Well I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know below. And don't worry their are more blogs about my stay in singapore on their way, so stay tuned.

Maria xx
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Sunday, 10 July 2016

Hello again,

Exams have finished and Summmer has began. And there is a lot going on. So here is a little heads up of what to expect in the upcoming months. 
My summer you could say if kind of hectic, for starters I'm leaving Japan 😩. For which there will definitely be more blog content about. And at the end I've got exam results and university prep. 
So if anyone is any good a math that's quite a while, and I've just said I'm quite busy. So busy with what exactly? 
Well first of all I'm doing a little travelling before I head back to the UK. I am lucky enough to be visiting both Singapore and Australia through July, due to quite perfect timing if I say so my self. My mum is out there on business already. I can tell you now packing was a challenge, seeing as it's always scorching in Singapore however it's cold and wintery in Australia in July. 
And if that wasn't nice, we've got to move all our stuff around the world again, as I'm moving back to the UK and my mum is moving to... You'll have to wait and see. 
We've also decided that while our home in the UK is empty it is the perfect time to rennnovate and do all those jobs we have been putting off for years, as you naturally do. So I will be coordinating that. 
So that's what's going on in my summer, but what I'm sure you want to know is what does that mean for you my blog readers and what the content is likely to be over the summer. Well as usual it is likely to be adhock, not in contrological order, but I really hope you enjoy it. As for the content; I plan to write about everything from Life in Japan and travelling to rennnovating and all the things in between. 
Overall I think you all have a lot to look forward to, and so do I. I hope you enjoy. 
Maria xx
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Thursday, 1 October 2015

Happy World Ballet Day 2015!!!!

To be honest I never really knew this was a thing but now I am aware, I think it calls for celebration every year.

This year the organisation has put together a marathon of ballet from all over the world to our device screens. 23 hours of jaw dropping ballet to feast your eyes on. Companies from all over the world; Australian Ballet, Bolshio, Royal Ballet, Ballet of Canada and SAN Ballet.

I was at school most of today but any free time I had my eyes glued to a screen. And as soon I got home I but on my pointe shoes and have spent the last few hours dancing round the house. which is a lot more fun than it might sound.


I post this in the hope that you get to see at least a snippet of the live streaming. I am so pleased and it has been very refreshing for me seeing as I have been able to find a dance school so far.

Go watch it!!!

Love Maria xx

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