Europe 2025 | Singapore, Singapore

With less than 12 hours (over night) in Singapore, we had to act quickly to hit the target list for our eating desires. 

So bag drop at the airport hotel, and then a quick cab ride to Centrepoint@Orchard for the girls craving, Mr Bean. These pancakes were a staple when the kids were little, and every time we’ve been back. And thankfully we were able to score the last peanut one… 

Next, at the same location was Bak Kut Teh at Song Fa, dad’s request. 

Then, a quick dash to 313@Sommerset for some thick peanut butter toast at Toast Box (another daily staple for the kids, especially as the one at Farrer Park (where we used to live was beside a playground). 

Next on the list was supposed to be Fish Ball Noodles at Food Republic @ Wisma Atria, but after rushing up Orchard Road, we disappointingly found the stall closed - much to mum’s dismay. 

But thankfully, Singapore never sleeps, so a quick cab ride to Newton Food Center saved the night, delivering both Fish Ball Noodles and as a bonus, chicken satay and bbq chicken wings!

After all that, we headed back to Jewel@Changi for a quick look around before crashing a bit after midnight back in the hotel. Not bad considering we arrived at 7pm, and are leaving before 7am so will be back at the terminal at 5am!

Next stop, Semarang (just a 5.5 hour transit to get though in Jakarta). 

Europe 2025 | Rome, Italy (Part 2)

Our next full day in Rome was focused on a visit, to another country, Vatican City.  We started the day quite early and headed through the Vatican Museums, and were taken aback by the art, sculptures and bredth of the collections.

We also noticed that all the statues had been castrated (or covered in some cases with fig leaves).  Turns out old Pope Clement XIII and Pope Pius IX had a bit of a thing for this... strange!

After exploring the Musei Vaticani, we headed to St Peter's to check out "The" Church, and to climb the dome, designed by Michelangelo (of TMNT fame).

After some 320 stairs (which got quite narrow, windy and at times angled), we were treated to some stunning views of Rome.

After all that excitement, we enjoyed a quick roadside pasta...and headed back to the hotel to rest our sore feet!

For our third full day, and last full day in Rome (and in fact Europe for this trip), we headed to ancient Rome, with our first stop for the morning the famed Colosseum.

And then onto the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill.

For lunch we found a nice little cafe, La Licanta, which had some very nice meatballs and great salads, and then we spent the afternoon wondering the streets of Monti, browsing through many vintage stores and enjoying the warm sunlight!

And after (much) walking...we retired to the apartment for an afternoon relaxation session, readying ourself for our final night in Italy / Europe for the trip. And to that end, we thought we'd try some more modern Italian cooking, and tried a bit of an edgy restaurant, Clorofilla Cucina & Distillati, which was a few minutes walk away in Campo di Fiori.  It was a nice way to end the night, something a bit different, a couple of negronis... and then a quick raid of the supermarket for the family back in Semarang who we'll be seeing in a day or so!

For our final morning - besides repacking the bags to try and prepare for the homeward journey (noting we are stoping in the tropics for 7 nights after being in the midst of the European winter)...  Dad rushed out to try a Maritozzi from the local Roscioli (a must-have in Rome) and picked up some pastries for breakfast.  A bit of souvenir shopping and then a last minute pasta lunch (the last meal of Italy needed to be pasta - obviously... 

And with heavy hearts (or a little relief) we say arrivederci to Italy, and farewell to Europe (well, at least until we land briefly in Finland enroute to Singapore on our journey back home - well via Indonesia too!).